Pros vs Sportsman
 

Hey guys, I'm not one to b*t*h, you can ask anyone in D-4 that I race with, or against. I may be stepping on some toes, but what the hell. I did'nt race at the Big Go, I could'nt qualify anyway or afford it, congrats to all the D-4 guys. I have been around NHRA Drag Racing for the best part of 35 years myself and drag racing in general with my dad since the early 60's. But after witnessing the confrontation with JF and TPED, I just could''nt let it go. I like both of these guys, but come on, get real. If this were two of us sportsman racers within 100 yards of an NHRA official we would be gone for a year. But OH, we have to review the tape and see if it is a violation. SPORTSMANSHIP, seems to come to mind in my book, especially when you are sponsored by some of the biggest companies in the sport. I can not afford to go to all the races that I would like to, but I try. I am one of the pocket funded teachers that try to compete the best I can and I try to include my students in my racing program and for the most part, they enjoy it too. But its hard to draw new blood into a racing organization that is in trouble. They see PRO's acting unprofessional all the time in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and so on. Lets not get that same reputation as the other PRO sports. I love going to the track, its like my vacation, (sometimes the wife likes it too, especially at No Problem) and I try doing the best I can, but the sportsmanship is awesome in D-4. We da*n sure know how to have a good time down here but the sportsmanship is still KING in this division. LETS RACE!!!!!

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

If you've been around drag racing for 35 years you must have been locked up in the trailer most of the time.Connie Kalitta for one probably rolled around on the ground more than a break dancer looking for tips.
More recently remember Doug Herbert/Clay millican at Maple Grove?Twit Bazemore/Capps bitch slap down?
Bob Gilbertson running over a pit bike and rented truck burning in pits.Want real action?I've heard some real good stories come out of the Comp. pits.
This incident is comparable to a pimple on a mosquitoes balls.Don't lose sleep over it.As a matter of fact come to Zmaxx,Bruton's son is setting up a grudge race for JF/TP for Fri. night for $20K.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Bob,

You're right, if sportsman racers had it out like that in front of officials they probably would be gone for a year.

However, the TV viewers eat it up and it makes for more viewers. Does that make it right? Does that project the professionalism we want to project? Heck no. But once again, it's all about the dollar now for NHRA. A shame that it has to be like that, but the money gets the vote.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

I'm sure NHRA loved it. Here at work people that know I race some were by my office off and on all day yesterday talking about it. It looked more like WWF or whatever it's called now to me. With WJ slamming the NHRA which all us racers enjoy and now the Tony and John show to titillate all those fans that don't understand 95% of what goes on during a race I'm sure it will help the ratings. With all the rain down time I wish they would show the good stuff that we all know is available to show on the air. At least Steve Evans didn't go around sticking a microphone in every ones face and ask "tell what your feeling right now?" I had an wife that used to ask me all the time what I was thinking and when I tell her the truth she would tell me to go sleep in the d*** race car then. I think the Tony and John show will be milked by NHRA for the rest of the season for ratings.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

What happened?What caused it?

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Force beat Cruz in round 2. That put Force against Robert in the semis. If Robert wins he's in the countdown so Force took a dive. ( he could have done a better job of hiding it) putting Robert ahead of Cruz. Then Ashley hands Tony his a--- on a platter. Then the fight started.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

It was staged reality TV. Case Closed!!! Don't want to hear any you don't know John or Tony about it. Again Completely Staged.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Gee since you know it all how about the winning numbers in Fridays Mega Millions.I need the money.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Ed play these numbers 1, 4, 8, 12, 22, 32 and I get 10% if you win:)

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

If I win I'll give you 20%. BTW which one is the Mega Ball # ? 32?

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Ed, that was a great response, you have me laughing.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

It is John Force there is no way NHRA will do any thing. Every one there and watching knew what was going to happen in that race. Even Dunn said it would happen. After the changes John made to try and get Robert into the count down there is no way John was going to take him out.
I was A huge fan of John Force the truck driver way back. Now I can't stand John Force the corporate ***** kiss.

Any othe racer pushes a NHRA official and they would have been severly punished.
As long as NHRA allows people to run multiple cars in a class you will have this problem.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Like Force said "They go around talking behind my back" etc. etc..Next national event you go to tell him how you feel.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

All I have to say is NHRA created the Monster...they allowed the Multi-Car teams in the Pro Ranks and now the monster has turned on them. I mean Force has 4 cars now, what happens in 2 years or so when the 2 other Daughters get their T/F or F/C Lic? A 6 car team??? Nascar put the limits on how many teams you can have a couple of years ago when Jack R. had 6 cars in the fields. They said you can only have 4 or 5 and thats it but, it didn't stop them they just found different "partners" to field the other teams. Just like I see happening if they put a limit on Forces teams you will see Ashley Force LLC. or Laurie Force LLC to offset the other teams. Does Tony have a point...I'd say yes cause he raced Cruz fair and square at BIR and Tony beat him cause thats they way it should be, did John take a dive for his team if I were a betting man I'd put my money on it but, I know if I lined up against either a team car or a good buddy who was in the hunt in the championship I might just happen to red-light or shut the car off on the line.

As far as the shoving deal at the end it was all for TV. Gary Gerald and John Kearnan just kept fueling the fire. Tony would say this then they go to John, then to Cruz then back to Tony then to Force. It was like High School all over again with the "He Said, She said" but instead of meeting at 12 oclock lunch they did it at the end of the track. I know if 2 sportsman guys got out of their car and did what JF/TP did we would not be racing any NHRA events anytime in the future. Face it Force is the face of NHRA, people who have never watched a Drag Race before know JF and they scored an Ace with the little deal at the end, Heck it made SportsCenter and the Coverage at Charlotte will prob be the highest rated program ever for NHRA.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

I still like Force.That being said how about Schumacher?How many teams does he have?I think he's more entrenched than Force or any other team.And none of his guys ever took a dive,right?With all the teams he controls,and I haven't checked lately,it seems only his kid is on top of it.
NHRA did create the monster.Force was there to fill the void when drag racing was going in the toilet.
And now he's the bad guy.I bet he's laughing all the way to the bank.Like Prudhomme said last week,he won't run a car on his own nickle,so he might take what he has and live like a fat rat for life.Not bad work if you can get it.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Alright Bobby what's that?????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

A BOBBY K. CAR :confused:

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

I think people might really know somethings up if you line up in the Super Gas lane Bender....haha

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Schumacher does have more teams than Force. But he does not have them all in the same class. That is the big difference. Not that I like Schumacher. But that is a different story.
You are right about the tv crew trying to push the buttons. If they would have shut up none of the screaming would have happened. Instead they could have actually coverd more racing. 10 hours of event coverage and they could barrley find any time to cover Prostock.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

Don Prudhomme has just announced his entire team is for sale. No sponsors for next year.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

I missed Sundays Qualifying cause I was drug to a BBQ but I thought H**l I'll have 6 hours of pure drag racing on Monday to watch with nobody to bother me. I think by the 2nd hour I was napping on the couch is was that bad. These are the days I REALLY miss TNN's coverage of the US Nationals. I remember watching it and first off it was LIVE, 2nd they used to show TA/FC and TA/D semi-finals live along with all the sportsman finals and it was awesome. Now I know ESPN has their own show for the sportsman guy AKA the "Top Alcohol Sportsman show and if we have any time left maybe we'll show some of the other sportsman guys" but, 6 hours of ranting and raving and pitting one driver against another and showing the same pair of cars going down the track 6 different times just was insane.

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

I wonder how many on this forum really cares ? I know I sure do not.

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Replay at 2 AM Friday morning on ESPN2........

Re: Pros vs Sportsman
 

For several years, there has been a 4 car team limit in the NHRA Pro classes. If, in 2 years, Brittany and Courtney move up to a Pro class, there can still only be 4 JFR FCs; it would make more sense for them to go to TF.
Bill Seabrooks - superfan1
Bridgeport, Ct.