Schumacher

CLERMONT, Ind. -- Tony Schumacher successfully defended his Top Fuel title Sunday at the NHRA's longest running event, the 49th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson and Reggie Showers also won in their categories at the $2.5 million event, the 17th of 23 in the $50 million NHRA series.

Schumacher beat Darrell Russell in the final round of Top Fuel. Schumacher turned in a career-best elapsed time, going 4.498 seconds at 328.54 mph in the U.S. Army dragster, beating Russell's 4.613 pass at 290.19 in the Bilstein dragster. Schumacher has nine career wins, three at the U.S. Nationals.

"It is unbelievable to come in here and win," Schumacher said. "All of the cars were making consistently fast runs and I knew that if we stumbled, then game over. And this is Indy. This is a big win."

Showers, a double amputee, earned his first national event victory of his career. He also won the K&N Filters Pro Stock Bike Klash bonus event to sweep the weekend in the two-wheel category. Showers beat Shawn Gann in a race between two Suzukis. Showers went 7.264 at 181.40 to Gann's 7.232 at 188.04.

Wilkerson earned his second career Funny Car victory, beating Johnny Gray in the final round. Gray, winless in three tries this season, went 4.903 at 314.24 in a losing effort between two Pontiac Firebirds. Wilkerson's 4.841 at 321.19 earned the win from the No. 15 qualifying spot.

Anderson won for the eighth time in 10 final-round appearances this season. The Pro Stock points leader went 6.803 at 203.40 in a Pontiac Grand Am to beat Kurt Johnson, who fouled at the starting line in a Chevy Cavalier.