Tony Schumacher qualifies fastest at Las Vegas, clinching his sixth world title

Updated: November 1, 2008, 11:12 PM ET

Schumacher qualifies fastest at Las Vegas, clinching his sixth world title

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Associated Press

LAS VEGAS -- Tony Schumacher clinched his sixth NHRA POWERade Series world championship by qualifying at the Las Vegas NHRA Nationals on Saturday.

Robert Hight, Jeg Coughlin and Angelle Sampey were the other No. 1 qualifiers in their categories.

Schumacher achieved his fifth straight world championship with his commanding run. He ran a time of 3.781 at 316.60 in his Top Fuel dragster. This is his eighth top qualifier of the season and his 55th career top qualifier. With this championship Schumacher moves ahead of Joe Amato for most career championship in the Top Fuel category, and joins legend Kenny Bernstein, Bob Glidden and Warren Johnson at third on the all-times list.

Hight grabbed his fifth Funny Car No. 1 in 2008 with a final round run of 4.043 at 309.20. He has 28 career top qualifiers.

Sampey ran a track record time of 6.993 at 188.23 with her Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle in the first round of qualifying. Sampey looks for her first top qualifier of the season. It would be her 45th career top qualifier.

Pro Stock driver Coughlin ran a track record time of 6.703 at 205.47. If it stands it would be Coughlin's third No. 1 qualifier of the season, 15th of his career and second at Las Vegas.