Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Written by Bobby Bennett Thursday, 15 July 2010 08:08




Warren Johnson spoke in obvious frustration, directing his comments towards the NHRA for what he felt was a lack of equality in track preparation amongst the professional divisions.

Johnson, following a first round loss at the recently completed NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways [Kent, Wa.], pointed out in not so many words, the NHRA cared only about the nitro cars when it came to preparing a safe racing surface.

However, Johnson’s supporting argument, pointing out the lack of talent required to drive a nitro-burner has some of the nitro community not only angry but determined to challenge the veteran Pro Stock racer to back up his statements.

“Hell, Ray Charles could drive one of those things in his current state,” Johnson told ESPN pit reporter Gary Gerould.

Now a couple of those “Ray Charles” racers have offered up nitro cars to Johnson as a means of letting Johnson prove his point.

Jim Head, who has publicly responded to Johnson’s criticisms of the fuel classes in the past, says he will provide the car and even tune it if Johnson wants to do as he says, “A Ray Charles impersonation.”

“C’mon Warren, the car is here … anytime you’re ready – we’ll make this happen,” said Head. “This just frustrates me so much. I will tune the car and lucky for him, I can’t afford to burn the car up. So, he ought to be safe there – that’s his safety cushion, but if I had the money; I’d light him up pretty good so he could say what “Ray Charles” driving is all about.”

Head paused for a moment and added, “I’ll put the Ray Charles name over the window for him. I just don’t understand why he has to slam on us when we didn’t do anything to him. This time, he went too far. I’m sure everyone in the nitro pits will pitch in everything needed to make this happen from firesuit to nitro.”

Bob Tasca III, who has licensed in a Pro Stock car before headed to fuel racing, offers up his car as well but only if it becomes more of a complex challenge.

“I’m saying this, I will get in his car with my eyes closed, you can tape my eyes closed, and you can take my car and he can tape his eyes closed and see who makes it further,” Tasca said, voice raising with emotion.

And no, Tasca said, he’s not speaking just to be lashing out. He’s adamant with his challenge.

“If he wants to accept the challenge, we’ll get in each other’s car, and I’ve never driven a hunk of s*** GM in my life, but I’ll drive one and he can drive a Ford, eyes closed just to prove a point. I’m sick and tired of him talking s*** about the fuel car drivers. Consider this my challenge to a blindfold match.”

Head prefers his challenge be carried out with eyes wide-open.

“Hey this is just a friendly challenge from one senile old man to another,” Head concluded.

Go,Warren go.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Lucille Lee, a secretary, jumps in a top fuel car and wins Atlanta. When was the last time a rookie racer jumped in a PS and even qualified let alone won something.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

There ya go.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Warren is twice the driver Head is.

Hammer

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Is this not the WWF?

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

NHRA doesn't love this because?............................

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

NHRA should love this. It is about time there are some people angry at others. It would be nice if they were in the same class and could get a rivalry going but this could be good too. I am so sick of all the lovey dovey interviews at the end of the track talking about how great the other team is and what a great driver the other guy is. It is total bs. Of course back to the original subject. WJ is right. NHRA would be a lot further along if they only showed Pro Stock and quit showing the unbelievably boring Nitro classes on tv. I must admit the first national event I went to I was so impressed by the feel, smell, and sound of the nitro cars. By the time I left, I was done with them. The novelty was over. I want to see drag racing and about 10% of Nitro races include a drag race. About 90% of Pro Stock includes a drag race. Nitro cars are point and shoot, maybe pedal or hit the brake, a Pro Stock car has more going on in the first 2 seconds than Nitro does in 4. And they only go 1000 feet. Boring.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Bring back Whit the Twit.He's good for a fight or two.And Bob Gilbertson is a real redeo cowboy driving through the pits in a rental vehicle.Now those were interesting guys.
I'd like to see any of those prima dona fuel guys make a pass in a pro stocker.Or a PS bike,that would be something.Road rash city.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

For what it is. This guy would have trouble driving a stocker..

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

He struggles a bit with English.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

there's no way anybody in a sane state of mind would ever consider this. Something tells me he got this idea from Force

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

I would put my money on WJ in the top fooler against any fooler driver in pro stocker.How many of those guys even have a clue about operating a Liberty,No offense to any body on here but when disscussion of clutchless trans came up in different threads very few stock super stock guys knew how they operated or what it takes to drive them,some may disagree but there are parts of clutchless trans that are harder than clutch versions.
Alot people think you turn clutch loose and yank shifter back and forth.
I have 99 % stick experience in my lifetime and I'm not sure I could make it to second gear in pro stock car for several passes.
I've been sick of fuel-top sportsman/dragster,Quick 8 being considered so skilled or smarter or "being the show" by people, fans that don't know anything for so long it's I don't know what words to use.
The alky dragster/funny require way more to drive than foolers do foolers are 95% crew
5% driver.
I say WJ has same view about driving fooler as I do I'm smart enough or maybe say not stupid enough to get in a fooler.why would any one with common sense even drive one of those things?
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

I don't think Force is that big an idiot or fool.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

I drive a stick car and I know that the 1st time i let the clutch out on a pro stocker id be saying oooooooooooooooooooh s*&t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Originally posted by Ed Fernandez
I'd like to see any of those prima dona fuel guys make a pass in a pro stocker.Or a PS bike,that would be something.Road rash city.
__________________
NHRA #1945
IHRA #1945
T/SA
With the obvious exception of Antron Brown.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Two different finish lines. This had to happen. I'm surprised it took this long. I guess the fuel cars can't shut down with the track sprayed, and the pro stock can't stay hooked without it. Don't surprised me the difference of opinions. Course you gotta consider, in one corner The Professor-known to speak his mind on several issues and usually not politically correct, Jim Head-speaks his mind also and been there a long time just like WJ and he don't understand the word correct, Tasca, I mean the guy drives a Ford so you gotta make allowances. My personal opinion is to get the track the same length which I think NHRA is playing with slowing down the fuel cars and put them back to 1/4 mile. Problem solved, no blindfolds needed.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Tasca= member of the lucky sper___club!!

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Jeff,
A solution would be for NHRA to shorten the track for Pro Stock. Wow, would I like to hear WJ's take on that. Another way NHRA could cure their problem would be sell off everything that runs on a long track. Humm! Are you up for buying all the Sportsman series? By the way, I have a few pictures of those 2 new DP's at B&B... Cool!

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Hey now!!!

Seriously, something has to give. Not one of us goes up to the starting line expecting to have serious issues with safety like those guys were expected to last weekend. Shame on NHRA for trying to save a buck that could have made a second fatality that weekend. Actually, a first fatality as the Top Alcohol crash came after Pro Stock round 1. I cannot believe they got such a flippant response from NHRA as they did.

Regardless, we come to the line expecting a safe track. NHRA is supposed to provide that. Glad they came to their senses before another person got hurt.

And Warren rocks! He has been and always will be my hero. I have only gone out of my way for two autographs as a fan - his and Melanie Troxel's.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Beth, you gotta remember I have been making allowances for Alex (slightly insane Ukrainian) for many years. Nobody, especially the pros, want an unsafe track. Now us guys, that is a different story. We usually just take what we get, and I do think over the years the line has been better maintained than 10-15 years ago. I think we should let Head and Professor duke it out. Tasca is too young, and he got that Ford thing too!!!

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Jeff, you forgot to honor Alex with the correct protocol...Commander Denysenko...slightly insane Ukrainian that also speaks fluent Spanish...

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Warren Fires Back!!

http://www.competitionplus.com/index...wrestling-bout

I have felt the same, that Warren may be a little rough around the edges, BUT in this I see a side of the man that has very deep thoughts and convictions regarding safety. All I can say is GO Warren!

Steve

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Let me go on record as saying that I have never been Warren Johnson fan. That said, now I have to say he is making more than just a little sense with his statements! NHRA had better start listening to the guys who know what is needed...... the racer! Sweeping reform is needed to continue to make our sport safe again. Safety was the main reason the NHRA started! What happened? I don't have to tell you what happened. The NHRA is being held captive by a bunch of money grubbing dumb asses! All they care about is stuffing their pockets instead of making sure these tracks can hold the power and stop the race cars of today. This is a technical sport. Don't you think we can develop a catch net or a similar device to stop these powerful cars? Sure we could, but NHRA doesn't want to spend the money. There is the bottom line. NHRA exec's, get off your wallet! Racers are dieing out there! Needlessly! Jim

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Warren better put the boat anchor backup motor in, because when one of these no shifting fuel guys misses the 1-2 shift, the valve train will be junk anyway.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

How do you miss a shift with a clutchless transmission?

That takes talent..... :)

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But, I think Tasca has it.

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LOL about Alex........Alex is as good as they come (for a Ford racer) and a top notch race prompter because with out him the U.S. Class Nationals would never had happened. Hope we have another one before I get to old to attend. Tasca is a little spoiled rich kid compared to Warren. Never had to bust his ***** to get where he is.

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

Mr. Teuton how do you expect to get free beer in my pit area by talking down my beloved brand? Of course, I need to be at the track more often to make that happen, and probably should switch to MOPAR so that I can huh? :o:D:p!!!!

In all seriousness I know first hand a successful Pro Stock run is 50% clutch tune up and 50% driver. In some instances the driver is burdened with more pressure in preventing unnecessary parts breakage. So track prep is much more crucial to Pro Stock racers than fuel racers. And what about all the safety crap used on fuel cars to automatically abort runs, unlike Pro Stock?

Re: Nitro drivers PO'd at WJ
 

See how fast that light comes on for the 1-2 shift and you'll find out the hard way! I meant missing it in the timing sense of it. See what happens when you miss it by 1,000 RPM. My 1-2 is .9 seconds and 2-3 is .8 after that. Good luck fuel guys, hehehe.