Eight-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher picked up his nickname – “The Sarge” – during his 18-year run with U.S. Army sponsorship.
But now “The Real Sarge” is in charge of Schumacher’s pit.
Joe Maynard, a retired Army-sergeant engineer, and wife Cathi Maynard, who served in the Army as an M.P., accelerated from fans to sponsors to team owners. He bought what arguably is the sport’s most victorious franchise, Don Schumacher Racing, with its 19 championships and 367 victories.
And the newly branded Maynard Family Racing, sometimes referred to as JCM/DSR, clearly has a new vibe – and new three-year marketing partner in SCAG Power Equipment. Like the Maynards, SCAG – an industry leader in commercial and residential lawn mowers and professional and residential debris management equipment – has deepened its commitment this year.
What’s different is the new team owners’ already successful approach to competing in the Camping World Drag Racing Series. The Maynards bring a joy in appreciating fast race cars – something their Mustang-loving son drew out of them but was in their DNA all along.
He said they have “maybe a few” fast cars in their Clarksville, Tenn., garage: “We have factory cars that run under 10 seconds – GT 500s [Shelby GT500 Ford Mustangs]. We have old cars and new cars. We’re into cars.”
Although Joe said he used to street race – “but nothing that you can count” – Cathi confessed with a coy smile that she was the one who had the lead foot on the gas. And her husband quickly confirmed it. Without hesitation, Joe Maynard said, “Yes, she did” and tattled that she has been known to sweet-talk her way out of a few speeding tickets.
We had no idea we were going to buy the team. It was a sponsorship deal. All year this year it’s been steadily getting to know each other. We treat everybody like they’re a big family. That’s the Army way. – Joe Maynard
He gets a kick out of sharing how they started thinking about becoming drag-racing team owners one day. The “seed for speed” actually was planted about 15 years ago.
“The first time Cathi saw a drag race in person was in Bristol. We had handicapped parking. We pulled up right at the finish line. And I heard a Top Fuel car fire up. We were late, of course.” He urged her to go get as close to the action as she could, and she didn’t waste any time. “So she went by the line, by the fence, and Tony went by about 300 miles an…
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