BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Don Schumacher Racing is using diplomatic measures to try to resolve its conflict with the National Hot Rod Ass’n in the wake of the $100,000 fine it levied April 13 during eliminations at The Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
DSR has indicated through its public-relations spokesman that it planned to file an appeal April 21 regarding the dispute about the source of nitromethane that NHRA discovered April 12 in the five-car pit area.
Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president of racing operations, said DSR had four barrels of nitromethane from an illegal, or unapproved, source and imposed the punishment. Team owner Don Schumacher said both Light and NHRA President Tom Compton told him in a verbal conversation that the supplier of that fuel was legal for competition.
Don Schumacher Racing attorney Cory A. Watkins sent a lengthy letter to Compton, asking that the facts of the matter be reevaluated by the sanctioning body, claiming the fuel in question was actually purchased from an NHRA approved supplier that had bought it from Pro Nitro.
Alan Johnson, crew chief for the Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel car steered by Tony Schumacher, lashed out at the media.
“First and foremost, I want to make it absolutely clear that there has never been any Pro Nitro in the U.S. Army team pit area or in our trailer during an NHRA national event weekend,” Johnson said in a lengthy statement. “As a result, the U.S. Army team has never used Pro Nitro in qualifying or on race day.
“To be sure, the success of the U.S. Army Top Fuel team has been under close scrutiny for some time now and we have complied with all requested inspections and fuel tests. Additionally, we have consistently volunteered entire data recordings from our onboard computer for NHRA Technical Department review.
“Our team has worked very hard and made personal sacrifices to honorably achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves and for our sponsors, including the U.S. Army.”