Eight-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher is officially back, and he’s ready to make a statement at the Big Go.
During an appearance on the WFO Radio NHRA Drag Racing, NASCAR & Motorsports Podcast, Schumacher confirmed he’ll be returning to race at the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, marking the start of a new multi-year commitment.
“We’re going to be racing,” Schumacher shared. “We’ll start at Indy this year. It’s going to be Indy on for the next several years. We got a good deal—locked it in.”
That deal comes courtesy of American Communication Constructions, a Texas-based fiber optic company whose owner attended the Richmond event and was so impressed that he committed on the spot. The car, as Schumacher described it, will proudly reflect its Lone Star State roots with a striking red, white, and blue design.
“Texas company, Texas owner, Texas employees doing Texas-sized work,” said Schumacher. “The car is going to be very nice looking.”
The announcement ties into the upcoming Stampede of Speed at the Texas Motorplex, a 10-day motorsports and entertainment extravaganza that holds personal and professional significance for Schumacher. The Dallas-area facility was the site of his first Top Fuel win—a moment that helped launch his championship career.
Schumacher emphasized the power of bringing sponsors to the track, where they can see, hear, and feel the intensity of 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragsters. That business-to-business exposure, he explained, is often what transforms a one-time sponsor into a long-term partner.
“This is how you land 19-year deals like we had with the Army,” he said. “You bring people out, show them what it’s really like—and it changes everything.”
The veteran racer also addressed the persistent rumors that he’s stepping away from the sport. Far from it, he says. Behind the scenes, Schumacher has continued working hard to secure deals and keep his program alive.
“I’ve had people say, ‘That’ll be the one that knocks Tony out of the sport,’” he joked. “I’m still here. And I’m still working.”
Part of that work included partnering with Rick Ware Racing, a team expanding its footprint across several motorsports disciplines. Schumacher praised Ware, as well as teammate Clay Millican, calling the program “a package that’s coming together just like we do every time.”
Reflecting on his journey, Schumacher offered advice to younger racers trying to find sponsorship: don’t rely on copying others—build something unique.
“You can’t look at the side of someone else’s race car and figure out where you’re going to get a sponsor,” he said. “Go outside the box. Use business sense. Shake hands. Let people see who you are.”
With renewed energy, a patriotic new look, and a long-term deal in place, Schumacher’s return to Indy—and beyond—marks the latest chapter in one of NHRA’s most iconic careers.
This story was originally published on July 9, 2025. 
