NHRA icon Don Schumacher has passed at age 79
The family has confirmed the passing of Don Schumacher. He was a pioneer in NHRA drag racing as the own of DSR Performance.
Schumacher was 79.
The team made their debut in 1998. It was formed with his son Tony Schumacher. The single car team quickly grew into a multi-car effort.
By 2019, Schumacher was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame. In 2022, Schumacher was presented with the NHRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s also in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
Team Statement
The team stated via a release, “Schumacher, who was 79 at the time of his passing, leaves a lasting legacy on not only the NHRA community, where he etched his name as one of the sport’s most successful team owners and a champion for the advancement of safety innovation, but on the motorsports community as a whole.”
“Schumacher’s contributions to the auto racing industry reach far beyond drag racing and have been widely recognized.”
“As a team owner, he funded and spearheaded a project to develop a protective, enclosed canopy for Top Fuel dragsters, which has since been adopted by multiple NHRA teams. Schumacher was also intent on utilizing his team’s fleet of race cars to raise money and awareness for various charities.”
“Each year ahead of the U.S. Nationals, DSR hosts a pre-race event at its Brownsburg, Ind. headquarters to benefit Riley Hospital for Children, and for seven seasons, Schumacher, along with Terry and Doug Chandler, campaigned ‘giving cars.’ The program enabled non-profits, such as the Infinite Hero Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and MD Anderson Cancer Center to be recognized through a dedicated tribute livery at no cost to the organization. The impact Schumacher had both on and off the race track is undeniable.”
“When not at a race track or leading his teams of employees, Schumacher enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, fishing, and golfing.”
Don Schumacher Racing has collected 366 national event wins leading to 19 NHRA world championships.
NHRA President: Glen Cromwell
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Don Schumacher, a truly legendary name in NHRA Drag Racing and motorsports, Cromwell stated.
“As both a driver and celebrated championship-winning team owner, Don was passionate about racing and driven to succeed, committed to safety on the track, and a remarkable person whose influence on the sport will be felt forever. He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his friends, family, and everyone at Don Schumacher Racing.”
John Force
“I just talked to Don the other day. His son, Tony, told me he wasn’t doing so good,” John Force stated.
“I know he had his family with him, his daughter. I asked him if he wanted to go fishing, and he laughed, he always used to ask me to go. Don told me, he told me he was going to beat it.”
“He’s used to winning. He definitely fought. I told him I loved him, and he laughed. We had a love-hate relationship, but there was always respect.”
“I remember him in the early days, knew him as a kid out of Chicago driving the Wonder Wagon Funny Car. That’s still how I see him. He was a great racer and one of the greatest team owners. He helped keep this sport alive, all the jobs he created, the drivers he helped. He’s going to be missed. I really wish I had gone fishing with him.”
