Drag racing legend Don Schumacher has passed away.
The National Hot Rod Association has revealed that Schumacher lost his months-long battle with lung cancer at the age of 79 after suffering some complications on Wednesday.
Motorsport fans have been left devastated by the news and RIP Don started to trend on social media.
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Schumacher was a gun racer back in the 1960s and 70s before becoming the owner of a powerhouse team in the late 1990s and a safety innovator. He was also a well-known philanthropist.
He is considered one of the most successful team owners in the sport’s history and only last year was handed the NHRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
That followed his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2019 and six years before that he also entered the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama.
“It is with heavy hearts that the Schumacher family announce the passing of motorsports icon Don Schumacher,” the Don Schumacher Racing team said on social media.
NHRA president Glen Cromwell said the organisation was “deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Don Schumacher”.
“(He was) a truly legendary name in NHRA Drag Racing and motorsports. 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,” Cromwell said.
“He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his friends, family, and everyone at Don Schumacher Racing.”
Top Fuel ace Antron Brown was shattered.
“The drag racing world lost a great one last night,” he said.
“I’m so thankful that Don took a chance on me and believed in me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all his support. He had such an incredible impact on our sport, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”
Funny Car World Champion world champion Matt Hagan said “the sport lost a legend today”.
“One that I had the luxury to work with for the majority of my career. Driver, team owner, teacher, father, business owner. This man wore the hat for whatever he needed to be in the moment.
“I’m a better man for having known him. The sport was built on the backs of these men. We owe a great debt to the paths they paved.”
According to Autoweek, Schumacher was “the force behind the safety canopy for the 11,000-horsepower dragster and roof hatch escape for Funny Cars”.
In the 1970s he created a family business — Schumacher Electric — that became a global empire.
He returned to the sport in 1998 and built a team with his son, Tony Schumacher.
At the end of the 1999 season, Don Schumacher Racing won the first of nearly 20 championship titles and the one-car team quickly grew to a seven-car powerhouse.
Fans reacted to the sad news on social media.
“Don Schumacher, dragracing was in his blood. I thank him for all his time he put into dragracing. R. I. P. God Speed. Condolences to the family and the dragracing community,” one fan said.
Another said: “A true legend and one of my racing heroes for many years. Don’s brought so much to the sport of drag racing it’ll be hard to match. My condolences to the family.”
AutoRacing editor Jerry Bonkowski said: “What a MAJOR gut punch to wake up to. Legendary drag racer and NHRA team owner Don Schumacher passed away last night after a battle with cancer. He was 79. A legacy of 100s of wins, multiple championships & one of the nicest guys in the sport. My sympathies to his family. RIP Don.”
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