NHRA Top Fuel King Tony Schumacher Returning to JCM Racing in 2024

Tony Schumacher is not done yet.

The eight-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion and JCM Racing announced today that the 54-year-old Schumacher will return to to chase a ninth championship in 2024. Schumacher, who was winless in 2023, is the winningest driver in Top Fuel history with 86 victories.

Schumacher will head a two-car team for the Maynard family-owned team. On December 8, the team announced that European FIA Top Fuel champion Ida Zetterstrom was coming on board for a five-race schedule in 2024 and with plans to enter the class full time in 2025.

Crew chiefs Mike Neff and Jon Schaffer will lead Schumacher's crew in 2024.

“We’re excited for the 2024 season,” said team owner Joe Maynard, whose JCM Racing team has already amassed seven national event wins in a little over a year’s time, including the 2022 NHRA Northwest Nationals where Maynard scored his first victory at his debut race as an NHRA team owner. “We’re going into this next year with a streamlined approach, and it feels like we’re returning to our roots.

"When my wife Cathi and I first started this, we began as associate partners of Leah Pruett’s car because Cathi was impressed with how Leah represented women in what is otherwise considered a predominantly male industry. At the time, Tony Schumacher wasn’t racing, and in addition to supporting Leah, Cathi was adamant about bringing Tony back. Everyone that knew Cathi, knew that Tony was ‘her driver.’ When working through our organizational restructure this off-season, it was important to me that Tony continue to race as a member of JCM in Cathi’s honor, and now, with the recent passing of Don Schumacher, we want to be sure we carry on his legacy as well. Between Tony competing for a championship, and Ida, racing for the Rookie of the Year award, I know we’ll make them proud.”

Cathi Maynard died in June at age 65 from complications from a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis.

More Maynards on Track

The Maynard family racing effort in 2024 will be growing in other ways in 2024, as Maynard’s son, Joe C. Maynard, will make his debut with a full-season run in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks. The 45-year-old Maynard earned his license in an A/Fuel Dragster following the 2023 NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas.

Shelby Maynard, son of Joe C., will also stage his machine in competition for the first time in 2024. The youngest drag racing Maynard will begin his career behind the wheel of a Jr. Dragster, competing in the NHRA’s division two ranks.

“It’s truly exciting that we’ll have two generations of Maynards on the race track next year,” added Joe Maynard. “We’ve always been clear about our intentions to grow the sport, and part of that is supporting the up-and-coming drivers, whether it’s through our JCM Racing driver development program, campaigning cars in the non-professional ranks, or introducing a new driver to the series, like Ida.

"I feel like we’re checking all of the boxes next year, and returning to the things that are most important to us. With Joe C. and Shelby representing us in the Sportsman ranks, and Tony and Ida in Top Fuel, I couldn’t think of a better lineup for our JCM Racing organization heading into 2024.”