NHRA announced a fine of $100,000 was levied on Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) for what the sanctioning body called a "fuel violation" prior to eliminations here at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals. The announcement lacked specificity, but stated a reference to the fuel regulations on Page 64 in the 2008 Rule Book. Schumacher Racing was fined for a violation of the regulations on nitromethane (the fuel that is used in Top Fuel and Funny Cars). Nitromethane has to be supplied from official suppliers that NHRA designates. Fuel anywhere on the grounds (in the race car, or anywhere else) can be tested at anytime. The penalty (and we quote from the rule book here (Section 4-General Regulations):
"Any participant who violates any rule regarding nitromethane shall be banned from competition at the applicable event, or shall be subject to such other penalty deemed appropriate by NHRA."
How can they tell bad nitro: It must have some sort of dye (like the diesel fuel you buy at the pump) which will change color if the nitro has been sensitized or contaminated.
Short take: DSR's drivers keep their points (at least for the moment)...but the organization gets a six figure whack in the wallet. It's easier to make up the dollars than points.
DSR fields not just Tony Schumacher and Cory McClenathan in Top Fuel. Gary Scelzi, "Fast Jack Beckman" Jerry Tolliver and Ron Capps drive Funny Cars under the DSR banner. Capps and McClenathan have advanced to the semi finals.
UPDATE: Schumacher is appealing the fine. He came into the press room, and explained that he had a supply from a previously unapproved (since Gainesville it's been approved) nitromethane supplier. Under the letter of the regulation, it's illegal. Under the spirit, there's a difference in opinion, which concerns money and suppliers.
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