Hot rod racing star Don Schumacher dies at 79

Drag racer-turned-team owner Don Schumacher died Wednesday at 79.

Schumacher was suffering from lung cancer until he died of complications related to his illness, according to the National Hot Rod Association’s announcement on Thursday. He was treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where his family is now requesting donations in lieu of flowers.

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As a driver, Schumacher mastered the Funny Car, helping form its own NHRA class from the 1960s until his retirement in 1974. During his career, he had five wins. Schumacher would return over 20 years later to start his own racing team with his son Tony Schumacher under the name Schumacher Racing, which is the winningest team in the association’s history.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Don Schumacher, a truly legendary name in NHRA Drag Racing and motorsports,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said in a statement. “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.”

“If I had to describe Don in one word, it would be ‘driven.’ Anything he was passionate about, family, business, racing, even fishing, he went at it hard,” NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart said. “As much as he wanted to win, he also wanted the sport to thrive. He was a fierce competitor who supplied the sport and his competitors with parts, safety, and technology, and he raised the standard of excellence. When it came to business, he was all business. But when someone was in need, he would be the first to step up and offer help. His influence will be felt in the sport forever.”

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In the last four years, Don Schumacher won the NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. In addition to his contributions to racing, he also founded Schumacher Electric with international plants producing battery chargers, testers, maintainers, jump starters, portable power, lithium, and electric vehicle charging,

Don Schumacher’s family has not announced a date for his celebration of life.