Atlas Copco Compressors LLC announced it will sponsor Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) as the team’s Official Compressed Air Technology partner. This is the first partnership between the two companies and will extend through the 2018 season.

DSR has a long history of success in the National Hot Rod Association, the world’s first and largest drag racing sanctioning body. This year, DSR is fielding three full-time and one part-time Top Fuel dragsters with four nitro Funny Cars.

DSR has won 271 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events, and in the past competed Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles.

The partnership between Atlas Copco is timed perfectly, the company says, as DSR has completed a 25,000-square-foot expansion to provide inside areas for two professional teams, each of which will house four Freightliner semi tractors and 53-foot technology trailers along with rigs for others departments including mobile hospitality units and a showcar program.

Atlas Copco will provide a new GA 26 VSD+ air compressor system for the DSR race shop. The GA VSD+ series brings proven reliability, substantial energy savings of up to 50 percent, according to Atlas Copco, as well as a small foot print thanks to a vertical drive train design and significant noise reduction down to as quiet as 62 dB(a). The VSD (variable speed drive) further reduces energy costs by adjusting air supply to match demand, perfect for the fluctuating needs of a race shop. Atlas Copco will also provide AirNet piping systems to support the compressor.

“We’re proud to announce our new relationship with Don Schumacher Racing, and we’re looking forward to supporting DSR’s compressed air needs,” said Erik Arfalk, vice president communications, Atlas Copco. “This is an exciting opportunity for us, and we’re thrilled to bring our superior products and services to the team in our new role as the official compressed air technology partner.”

“Atlas Copco is providing DSR with another component that will help DSR win more Mello Yello titles and NHRA championships,” said Don Schumacher, owner of DSR and Schumacher Electric Corp. “The GA 26 VSD+ air compressor system will complement our energy-saving efforts in our expansion that also includes LED lighting and in-floor heating.”

DSR and the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series compete in 21 markets throughout the United States with 24 events from February to November.