Rick Ware Racing has added an eight-time Top Fuel champion to its NHRA lineup. Tony Schumacher has joined forces with the team for a limited schedule that will expand with time.
According to a press release, Schumacher will run a limited Top Fuel schedule during the 2025 season. This will help him prepare for a full-time run in 2026. He will become teammates with Clay Millican, who will run the full Top Fuel schedule.
Rick Ware Racing will provide Schumacher's full Top Fuel schedule at a later date.
"This opportunity with Rick Ware Racing gets me back in a Top Fuel car where I can compete at a high level immediately," Schumacher said in a press release. "The passion and commitment Rick and his group have for racing is incredible, and I can't wait to get behind the wheel. A limited schedule this year allows us to prepare for 2026 and show people what we're capable of.
"I'm really looking forward to teaming up with Clay. He's an incredibly talented racer with a ton of experience, and having both of us under one roof is only going to make us stronger. We'll be able to push each other, share data, and work together to make RWR better."
The Chicago native is the winningest driver in Top Fuel. He boasts 88 event wins, eight championships, and 161 final round appearances. This list includes wins last season at Bristol Dragway and World Wide Technology Raceway.
Schumacher finished eighth in the championship standings last season after making the Countdown for the Championship for the 15th time since 2007.
Rick Ware Racing joined the NHRA field during the 2022 season and made its debut at the US Nationals in Indianapolis. The team has fielded an entry for Clay Millican since its inception.
Millican has thus far delivered four event wins to Rick Ware Racing. He captured events at the Route 66 Nationals, the Mile High Nationals, and the Midwest Nationals in 2023. He scored an event win at the US Nationals last season.