7 DECADES OF THE BIG GO: Schumacher Rules the 2000s at Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals

Schumacher rolls to eight Top Fuel wins at The Big Go during the decade, Anderson goes on Indy run in Pro Stock, Ashley Force-Hood makes history and more

A Look Into the 7 Decades of The Big Go:
Previewing the 70th Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals
Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals and the 1960s
1970s: Snake Carves out his Legacy
Glidden Dominates 1980s in Indy
1990s Loaded with Historical Moments

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – August 15, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – To become the most successful driver at the world’s biggest drag race, Top Fuel star Tony Schumacher had to enjoy at least one incredible streak at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals.

That happened in the 2000s, which featured a remarkable performance to the tune of eight wins and nine final rounds from The Big Go’s winningest driver. Schumacher has an NHRA-best 10 victories on drag racing’s grandest stage and he’ll look for another when the biggest stars in the sport descend on Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Aug. 28-Sept. 2 for the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals.

The Big Go turns 70 in 2024 and Schumacher has contributed greatly to the rich history at the event. As the road to the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals continues with a look at each decade, the 2000s most prominent storyline was Schumacher’s spectacular run of dominance.

He won Indy eight times in the 2000s, advancing to the final all but one year (2001). He won three straight times from 2002-2004 and after falling to Larry Dixon – the only other Top Fuel driver to win at Indy in the 2000s – in 2005, Schumacher cleaned house the rest of the decade, winning four in a row from 2006-2009.

Schumacher quickly realized what winning the world’s biggest drag race can do for a driver’s legacy and the team was seemingly always on point in Indy. The decade was filled with epic battles against the likes of Doug Kalitta, Gary Scelzi, Dixon and others, but Schumacher, the eight-time Top Fuel champ, always seemed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.

“Indy is my Magic Kingdom and for me to have such a great dominance at Indy is really something,” Schumacher said in a 2020 interview. “I can’t begin to explain it other than I think we are better under pressure and I think because the race is a bigger race. They’re just so big, I think I try harder.

“There are people who rise and get better when their heart rate’s up and there are people who choke, so I’m extremely thankful that during the big moments,…