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NHRA: Can Anything Slow the DSR Dynasty in 2016

By Martin Feigen

Jun 21, 2015; Bristol, TN, USA; NHRA team owner Don Schumacher celebrates a round win during the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2015; Bristol, TN, USA; NHRA team owner Don Schumacher celebrates a round win during the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Having won a franchise most 26 event titles in 2015, is there anything that can slow down Don Schumacher Racing?

2015 was a landmark year for DSR on the track. Having won 11 Top Fuel events with Schumacher, Langdon and their fourth straight Mello Yello Top Fuel championship with Antron Brown, their dominance in the Top Fuel class is undeniable. What is going a little unnoticed is the dominance in the Funny Car level long owned by John Force Racing. DSR teams won 14 Wally’s last season around the country, finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the points standings.

Wherever the DRS teams unload all three TopFuel teams are expected to be at the top of the speed charts. The talent in the cockpit and in the trailer that Don Schumacher has put together is second to none. When internal issues led to the dismissal of Spencer Massey, Don tapped Shawn Langdon to fill the seat. All Shawn did is win rounds and wins his first Wally in Pomona for DSR in the season finally. Now signed for 2016 all three drivers should contend for a fifth straight Mello Yello Top Fuel Championship.

In Funny Car DSR has quietly put together a team that has taken over for John Force as the most dominant team in the class. Having won 3 of the last 5 championships and the most class wins over that span, the once Force owned Funny Car in now more competitive than ever. Even thought the Force cars still get the most fans at the track, cancer survivor Fast Jack Beckman has become a fan favorite. The 2013 champion finished second last season leading the DSR Funny Car teams with seven Wally’s as many as Johnson, Capps and Hagen combined

With all the success does come pressure, after 26 event wins in 2015 what realistic goals do you set? Not winning the Funny Car championship is something that will drive Schumacher to improve. The remarkable feat of having only not brought home a Wally in just four weekends last season can make for some complacency. The fact that DSR has been on a decade roll where the fewest event wins in 14 in 2009 does make me think they can keep this rolling. With the chase format there is always a chance, as in 2015 Funny Car, being the best team all season does not pay off. So keeping the pressure on is a must.

What is hard to believe is that with the dominance in Top Fuel that DSR has had, you can clearly see room to improve. Shawn Langdon is a clear step up from Massey and The Sarge with just three wins is working hard to get back on top. Antron Brown is not going to sit back on his seven win season capped off with his second title. Richie Crampton should provide the push the DSR Top Fuel side needs to keep on their game in 2016.

On the Funny Car side the disappointment of not winning the title after such a dominant season has to sit hard at the DSR shop. The incredible run Jack Beckman has had since returning to the series after his cancer battle will not be complete until it is topped off with a return to the top spot at the end of the season. Teammate Matt Hagen does stand in his way along with the improving Force teams. Capps and Johnson are contenders most weeks but really need to step up to be title contenders.

More racing: John Adds Alan Johnson To Team

2016 is looking to be another standout year for Don Schumacher Racing and its stable of drivers. The dynasty Don has built is comparable to just about any in NHRA history.

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