NHRA's big problem

[draglist]

This forum is for all opinions. The only requirement is civility. Anybody who feels that this is not the place for them because folks have a different opinion, stated with civility, may be right. But I hope not.

I am not a John Force advocate. My opinions would be the same if it was Shoe or any other multi team owner. NHRA set the rules, then they should have to live by them or change the rules.

Same thing regarding the $10K. No matter who it was, if some clown is going to come up and put his hands on me when I'm face to face with another guy, that's a threat and I will remove it. I'm perfectly capable of controlling myself and I don't need some wannabe jumping in to 'help' me restrain myself. The guy could have shouted BACK OFF or called security over with more effect.

It seems to me that NHRA is trying to compensate for the race by fining the swat. I say again: I don't care who it was. I'm trying to keep the emotions out of it and look at the facts. bp

[Shane Boyungs]

Maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed today..lol I had court today for a child support hearing (Not what ya think..lol) and prolly let my emotions get the better of me.. For that I apologize to everyone here...

Anyhow I guess the point I was getting at is its not alright to "Touch" an official of any sport...

NFL - Its not allowed
NBA - Its not allowed
MLB - Its not allowed
Nascar - its not allowed
F1 - its not allowed
UFC - Its a lifetime ban
Boxing - suspension and huge fine (possible lifetime ban from the sport)

Now take the last two examples.. These guys are "Fighting" but even they know when the ref steps in you must not touch him.. I think if guys who are actually fighting can restrain themselfs from touching a official in the heat of battle so could have John Force...Maybe its because I have done some amature fighting that I look at this situation differntly...


Its definatly brought alot of att to the NHRA. I was watching a Nascar show the other day and all they talked about was that.. Now nascar has said they will be watching there final race to get in the chase very carefully to make sure none of that is going on..lol

I have some friends that come over who know nothing about drag racing and have no intrest.. They seen the incident on Sports center and say to me "Shane you see John Force and that "Other Guy" about to get into it?" They know who john Force is cause my wife is a huge fan.. They tell me they are coming over to watch it next week. They want to see whats going to happen... I figure if I can get them to sit through a tv broadcast I may be able to get them to the track next year... So I guess it has brought two potential new fans and thats a great thing..

[Novel-T]

Two questions come to me
1.How does NHRA decide on the value of a fine?
2.What was the "Officials"job in the shutdown area,and does that job discription give him the right to lay hands on a contestant?
Shane, no need to apologize,but I find it interesting that your emotions from something earlier today affected your post later.

[Shane Boyungs]

Shane, no need to apologize,but I find it interesting that your emotions from something earlier today affected your post later.

I think you misunderstood... I was on my way to court when i posted the first one.. Thats the post i was apologizing for... Posted the second when i got home and wasnt as furoius at the world(I guess)... Nothing much more too it then that...

Some sources say he was a "NHRA security official" other just say NHRA official

[draglist]

Thanks for the comments, Shane. I agree that blatant shoving or other agression towards a ref is out of line. But I think simple (even vigorous) hand swatting when someone is trying to touch YOU may not be great, but should not have warranted a fine. Believe me, I do not support bullies or folks who try to push folks around. Seen too much of it.

I'm glad that your pals are coming over to watch NHRA. Maybe we'll get a few new fans. But it makes me think of Jerry Toliver and the WWF sponsorship connection that began a few years ago. If the WWF had remained with NHRA, would this sort of thing have been commonplace (although though more as theater than reality)? Many thought that's what would happen. The sport took a pass on that, but it's interesting to note that it's exactly the thing that got your buddies interested. Crazy. bp

[Barb]

Even today, I personally don't like (at all) , someone putting hands on me....Hell , who does? Even "cute" remarks from bystanders during a "debate" p*ss me off.......

Rock on !

No matter who it was, if some clown is going to come up and put his hands on me

Two of the best here and now I'm afraid to come give you hugz .. Sorry, just a wizecrack from the peanut gallery

[Novel-T]

[WCB]

Hugz is good

[Becky White]

I know it's been going on since the '60s 'cause that's when I saw it first! You know what made me madder than anything? Mike Dunn. That was just too much mouth on NATIONAL TV. He should have kept his opinion to himself. His job is to tell what is going on, not tell everyone how pissed he was because he 'thought' someone did something wrong. He could have discussed this anywhere later or OFF TV, but I really think he went about in the wrong way.

No change in pairings...things are confusing enough for the fans, let's don't make it any worse! It truly is a NON-issue since it was a battle for 10 and 11. Don't you think emotions are getting quite stressed since they're coming up on the end of the year and it means so much money to so many people? There's more than one bunch of cry-babies out there!

As far as sponsorships are concerned, hey, that's the name of the game. If they don't have them, they don't race. Just because Force has busted his ass to have more sponsors than anyone else or more cars than anyone else doesn't mean he's any better winner or loser. That whole team has had a rough few years, this year it's their cars that have been giving them the problems. Anyway, I'm not saying any of it was right or wrong, so why is everyone carrying on the way they are? You cannot police it and no one in NHRA is going to go up against any sponsor who may eventually be an event sponsor or major sponsor in the future. If you looked at the tapes, how would you ever prove anyone did anything wrong? Good grief folks, ain't there more important things to argue about????

All the years I did Quick Times Racing News, one of the things I kept on everyone about...racers and race tracks alike...was THANKING their sponsors and getting them as much attention as they could every chance they had. Maybe that's why so many grass roots racers don't get good sponsorships...they just don't understand the concept. That's what they're doing and every time I see it, I say, "Way to go." If you want sponsors, you have to do something for them, they aren't going to GIVE you anything! Maybe that's why so many racers DON'T have them!

I'm sure NHRA is NOT going to do anything about changing the rules because they can't afford to lose the cars OR their teams' sponsors. If you say there can only be one Force car in funny car, there would be some mighty slim shows in some places. Besides, the fans love Force. Everyone has their favorite, but his mouth sure has done a lot for this sport. And not only his mouth, but all the other things he's done. I just don't think NHRA is going to sh*t in their own back yard over this one! Becky White...STILL drag racing's most dedicated fan!