An argument could be made that Rick Ware Racing is best positioned for Top Fuel success at the world’s biggest drag race, this weekend’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
After all, they have the defending race winner, Clay Millican, who stormed to his first career victory at The Big Go a year ago. Plus, the race marks the debut of Tony Schumacher for Rick Ware Racing, and the eight-time Top Fuel world champion knows quite a bit about Indy success.
Top Fuel’s winningest driver is also the most successful driver in NHRA history on drag racing’s grandest stage, winning the U.S. Nationals an incredible 10 times. The most recent came in 2016, so Schumacher is eager to get back to the winner’s circle. Doing so in his 2025 debut for RWR would be a remarkable story, but Schumacher often tends to have a flair for the dramatic on the sport’s biggest stage.
More than anything, though, Schumacher is eager and excited to race in his 12,000-horsepower American Communications Construction for the first time for RWR, especially at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.
“The U.S. Nationals has always been special to me, and I’m grateful for the chance to return to Indy with Rick Ware Racing and American Communications Construction,” Schumacher said. “I’ve been fortunate to experience some incredible moments at this event over the years and getting back behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster at ‘The Big Go’ in front of the most passionate fans in all of motorsports means a lot. It’s the biggest race of the season, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals saw Austin Prock (Funny Car), Millican (Top Fuel), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claim victories in a winner’s circle that featured four first-time Indy winners. This year’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, with Monday’s eliminations broadcast on FOX beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
It is the 14th of 20 during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series – and the last race before the Countdown to the Championship playoffs – and plenty is on the line during the loaded weekend, including the regular season championship across the four professional categories. Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon currently leads Tony Stewart and Doug Kalitta by 45 and 51 points, respectively, with $150,000 on the line this weekend.
Schumacher won’t factor into that this weekend, but he is part of a loaded field in Indy that also includes reigning world champ Antron Brown, Brittany Force, Steve Torrence and, of course, Millican, who enjoyed a dream weekend at The Big Go last year. He’s excited to have Schumacher join the mix in Indy and is hopeful he can go back-to-back in Indy as he heads to the race fresh off a final round appearance in Brainerd.
“Winning the U.S. Nationals last year was one of the proudest moments of my career,” Millican said. “It’s the race every driver wants to win, and to go back to Indy as the defending champ is really special.
“Having Tony Schumacher join the team makes it even better. He’s a part of NHRA history, and to have someone with his knowledge and experience is a huge asset. Two sets of inputs, two perspectives – it makes RWR stronger, and I’m excited for what we can accomplish together.”
That has Schumacher focused on a big finish and an eye toward the NHRA’s 75th anniversary season in 2026. Before that, though, the man with the most Indy victories would love to add another spectacular moment to his illustrious Indy legacy.
“These last seven races are a great opportunity for us to build something strong for 2026,” said Schumacher, who has 88 Top Fuel wins. “It’s about getting everyone dialed in – learning, improving and laying the foundation for next year.
Prock has been dominant again in 2025, winning six races thus far. He’ll clinch the Funny Car regular season title this weekend and is also the top seed in the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout, a one-day bonus race set for Sunday with bragging rights and a big purse on the line.
He will have his pick of opponents of the field as the eight drivers – a list that includes Jack Beckman, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Daniel Wilkerson and Cruz Pedregon – will look to double-up at this year’s race.
The Pro Stock field has been dominated by the KB Titan Racing duo of reigning world champion Greg Anderson and his teammate Dallas Glenn. Anderson has five wins to Glenn’s four, though Glenn holds a small nine-point lead in the race for the regular season championship.
The Pro Stock Motorcycle ranks are once again led by reigning world champion and 2024 Indy winner Herrera, who has a 70-point lead over teammate Richard Gadson.
Indy also offers something for every racing fan, including:
- Fans at the event who renew their tickets for the 2026 race will be given a special 75th anniversary replica championship ring. They will also be given the option to buy a commemorative ticket featuring several NHRA legends as NHRA looks to celebrate its diamond anniversary next season.
- The Deecell NHRA Competition Eliminator Cash Clash is back at Indy, giving Comp Eliminator drivers a shot at a big payout on drag racing’s biggest stage.
- The Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge returns as the longest-running continuous specialty race in NHRA history.
- Lucas Oil IRP will see more than 800 race cars competing for U.S. Nationals glory. From Top Fuel to Super Stock, there is a car for any racing fanatic.
- An unforgettable Top Eliminator Club experience, including NHRA driver appearances, food and drink, TEC gift bag, starting line seats and much more.
- Free parking for all fans in attendance for the entire weekend.
- SealMaster Track Walk before Monday’s eliminations.
- Autograph sessions throughout the weekend and a can’t-miss Hot Rod Junction.
- Children 12-and-under get in free, offering all-day entertainment for the family.
Also on the schedule is the final Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge race of the season, as drivers look to earn a bonus purse and bonus points for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Indy also features the world’s best in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and NHRA Holley EFI Factory X.
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 29, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 30 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 1.
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.
The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 4 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place at 5 p.m. ET on FS1 on Sunday.
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