Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Sun, 9 Sep 2007, 01:26 AM


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Results of final, round 6 eliminations in Super Stock at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Pacific Division, event at Auto Club Famoso Raceway:


5 Tony DeFrank 4 Jimmy DeFrank
E6 -0.500 16.859 66.50 ****WINNER**** 1.541 19.701 69.68
GT/CA Dial: 9.91 (+/-): 6.949 SS/BS Dial: 8.95 (+/-): 10.751
Prior rounds:
E5 0.046 9.919 0.009 (S Wann ) 0.009 8.968 0.018
E4 (F Grossi ) 0.007 9.925 0.145 (B Blakeney ) 0.012 9.067 0.117
E3 (F Moreno ) 0.019 9.821 0.031 (J Larkin ) 0.012 9.096 0.146
E2 (S Cour ) 0.016 9.825 0.015 (T Armanino ) 0.019 9.111 0.111
E1 (B Chaffin ) 0.016 9.809 -0.031 (K Smith ) 0.025 9.168 0.168
Qualified: #14 9.774 -0.926 #6 8.995 -1.055

10:20 p.m. Are there serious consequences after this final? This might have been decided before the pair came to the line. The winner is Jimmy DeFrank. <img src="http://www.dragracecentral.com/stories/photos_go_here_07/lodrs_7-7-Super_Stock_Final.jpg"

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

what is it that you think they did wrong???

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

It was a pre decided race with Tony taking a -.500 REDLIGHT and both just loafing down the track.
But Graham is just after the PRO DIVERS in the gimmick "countdown"...........:-)

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

I think you're right John. For anyone who's been concious for the last year or so, Graham and his minions could give less than a ***** about Sportsman racing with regard to anything else, so why should they care about this? Let's see?? Jimmy is # 1 in Points, and Tony doesn't have a shot. Senior owns the cars, so it's his call. Being friends with Danny had nothing to do with it. I'm sure all fifty spectators that were left already knew the outcome before they ran.

Jerry

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Well, congratulations guys. There ya go... "It's just a business decision", right?

:mad:

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Michael,

If you're Jim DeFrank, YEP! You're not, and I'm not, so I guess we have no business in the decision. If "business decisions" didn't enter into it, why does NHRA mandate that PRO team cars RACE? Isn't that a BUSINESS DECISION on their part? You have to live with Michael Beard, but I'm sure Jim DeFrank has no problems living with Jim DeFrank on the decision he made. Like it or not, that's the way it is, PERIOD!!!

Jerry

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

like i said what did they do wrong

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

They did nothing wrong, congrats to the defrank crew on a win and runner-up! Some people are so jealous they will whine about anything possible, its pretty ridiculous.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

They didn't even do a burnout it was disgusting to watch. At least make it look like a race.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

If the championship comes down to the difference of that one round, then the second place guy was cheated. One guy has to *earn* all of his round wins, and another has some given to him.

Is it okay because it was just one round, or would it be okay if we put together a team of ten cars and work to qualify so that we could always advance certain team members into the late rounds and buy a championship?

I'm stunned that there is so little moral integrity in our sport. :( Y'all are welcome to your opinions. I for one will always know that everything I've won I will have earned. I needed to win one round to win the Summit Super Series at Pageland Dragway this weekend. I lost a close race to a good competitor. I'm happier knowing that I did my best, instead of paying off my opponent to give me a redlight.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

I'm with Michael on this one.....I race every round, no matter what

I'd cut my poor dear departed Mother's head off on the tree if I could, and dial dead on, regardless of points or anything else, hell, I'd do it on a time shot for nothing.

goob- no gimme rounds for anyone, for any reason.

goob2- and yes, if the 2nd place racer loses by one round or less, you better believe that racer got cheated.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Post of the year.

Yeah it's DeFrank's team, yeah he can do what he wants, blah blah blah. I understand and agree with all that.

The point is, his decision, which was absolutely his to make, was a bad one as far as sportsmanship, representing drag racing well and just was not in the spirit of competition. Kind of chicken ****.

If Jimmy is so good, which i personaly do think he is, he can beat tony in a real race.

Jealous? of someone who didn't even really EARN their win? you must be high.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

you all have your panties in a bunch for something that wont even affect you. The DeFranks know what they're doing. It's a team effort.

LOL @ the yodeler who says Jimmy didnt earn his victory.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Excuse me, but when "super teams" come in and dominate competition without even putting on a show IT DOES AFFECT EVERYONE.

Are you hoping for NHRA Sportsman racing to go the way of NAPCAR?

Ask any single car owner in any motorsport how they feel about bogus "competition" amongst multi-car teams manipulating championship standings by setting up gimme points rounds......ask Lewis Hamilton how he feels about having to take the back seat to a less talented driver on the same team, extreme example, but F-1 is pretty extreme competition, or used to be.

When the integrity is gone, so is the Sportsman.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Put your self in this situation. Your brother has an excellent chance of winning the championship and you wouldn't help him out? Come on get real, you know you would do the same thing. One of the posts mentions something about the fans in the stands...blah blah....I'm sure the 10 or so fans in the stands didn't really care. Good driving job and congrats to the DeFrank team for making it an all DeFrank final.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

hell guys have "bought" rounds for years...at least they raced to get to this opportunity

anyway..
if YOU were good enough and rich enough to have both in the finals you'd see it differntly...

congrats DEFRANKS...

jack mccarthy

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

>> if YOU were good enough and rich enough to have both in the finals you'd see it differntly...

Is that directed to anyone in particular?

In any case, I thought talent was supposed to win races, not money.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

naw mike... just everyone in general... not many "teams" talented enough to drive themselves to the finals...and i think some of the whiners are jealous of the defranks...

simple opinion that others wouldnt see it so wrong if they had opportunity to do it ??

jack

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Since this post tends to infer that the DeFrank Team gets away with this...let's look at other plausible situations:

Let's take Jody and Toby Lang, or Mark Faul and his dad, or the Waldo family or the Biondo's...if they were in the same situation and a sibling had the chance to win a Division or National championship, would they do the same? The DeFranks and the others I have mentioned, in addition to being team mates...they are FAMILY!!!

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

It's akin to using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs in other sports. Home run derby: Drugs or a corked bat? "Yer just jealous" and "You'd feel different if you used it, too" are not valid arguments, in my opinion.

For the record, both the DeFranks did a phenomal job the entire day. Should've been a helluva final round, too.

I suppose it bothers me that when you're "that good", that some feel the need to resort to something less than your God-given talent to get a W.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

"Well, officer, the door of the Brinks truck was open... Anybody else would've done the same thing, so it's okay." :rolleyes:

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Michael...put yourself in their shoes if you were racing a sibling and he had the chance to win a championship...what would you do? In my opinion, I would rather do what they did, save parts in lieu of making a run, redlighting, or breaking, or lifting and braking at the other end that can many times be dangerous.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Um, in case I hadn't made my opinion clear enough before: I'D RACE.

Been a long time since I've raced family. When I was in high school, just getting started in the trophy class, dad and I raced a lot. Dad was the only driver that had a winning record against me, and I won the championship. "Golly, shouldn't dad have helped me win?" NO. I earned my way. A couple of years later, dad ran Heavy Eliminator for the first time, and with 68 cars, the lanes got shuffled, and somehow we ended up getting paired first round. He beat me by .004. Somehow, I've never told that story with the addition of "but I was in the points and he wasn't so he should've let me win!" NO.

When I won the Stock World Championship in 2003, I didn't need anybody to lay down for me, and no one did.

I missed winning the Summit Super Series at Pageland Dragway last week by one round. Someone could've given me that round, but it would've been BS, and that would've been cheating the real champion out of a position that he EARNED.

Since so many people want to play the "What if?" game... Let's say YOU are leading the points, and a "team" dives their way to pass you by one round. You get to look on, knowing that there's a 100% chance that you're going to lose the title.

$.02,

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

following results for a long time i cant say that i noticed Defranks done alot of this before..actually the opposite in my point of wiew and often i was thinking why?and thats maybe the reason why it did go down like that this time,congrats to defrank brotha's on som exellent driving ,sure dosent look that they need someone to dive for them to be in the finals!

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Michael, not trying to be a jerk (I've known you for quite a while, I like you and never have had a problem with you), but I have to ask you about this.


http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCSt...r2005#indextop

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Wasn't my decision.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

And since JIM DEFRANK owns the cars, maybe it wasn't Jimmy or Tony's decision either. So now they're in the same boat with you Michael. Are you any better or worse than they? At least they're family.

Somehow, racing your dad for a possible local bracket championship, doesn't appear to me to be on the same level as a Superstock National Championship.

Jerry Ryan

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

well heres my opinion
nhra publicly announced that they would not tolerate team orders in their races this is clearly a team order
doesnt mater who ordered it it was obvious. the points race is a tight race.jimmy defrank is ahead by 45 points on the national side and behind by 21 points on the divisional side according to the web site today.
nhra has no option but to act on this if nothing else dont award points to either driver after the semis
so now lets see how well they enforce their own rules nhra its your time to step up and stop the dumbing down of our sport and turn it back to what its supposed to be drag racing

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

But you keep harping that you'd never throw a race. You obviously already have. You trying to take over Steve Taylor's place as the biggest hypocrite on the Internet?

Bottom line for me is that IF I was paying the bills on both cars you can bet the one with the most to win, will. Force has done it for years, Kalitta and Bryce have too just for starters. No big deal, it's just business. You do remember that for a lot of people racing is a business, don't you?

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

You guys need to lighten up, Jimmy already won 5 rounds . These guys are true racers , they drove over 2000 miles to race the Hemi at Indy ( and WON) Also they both have single digit numbers for this year, so nobody is giving them anything.I understand you point of its all for the show, but ther's no one there but a few of the late round losers and they are more interested in getting loaded up and heading home.These divisionals are mostly participant funded and attentended by their family and friends.So congratulations Jimmy, Jimmy Jr and Tony you guys are class and others are only jealous of you acheviements. Drag on .

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

I know I should not post but I can't stand it anymore.

Are you crazy?

Would you really expect them to race?

Idiots.

If I were Mr. De Frank next time, to rub it in your face, I would not have Tony go to the line - I would stage the car - take the green light - and then back up. But - I know he would not do that.

They are very good people - have a lot more money than most - but that does not make them consirping criminals. Just Family.

If it were my son or brother and I had no realistic shot of course I would lay down - so would most other people.

This is not just in a drag race either.

For a long time, very good friend I would do the same.

I would race any friend I only know at the track.

Unbelievable dialogue here.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Jeff,Graham doesn't know the Sportsman racers exist !
His directive was directed towards the Pros and NHRA's gimmicky "Countdown".
Nothing will happen in the Sportsman ranks !!! Bet on it !!

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

>> And since JIM DEFRANK owns the cars, maybe it wasn't Jimmy or Tony's decision either.

Fine, then that's where I would place the blame.

"Hypocrite"?!? You think maybe that's one reason why the whole thing makes me so mad? :mad: I repeatedly asked to be able to race for it. I feel that I could've won the event.

>> Unbelievable dialogue here.

We agree on that. I'm out.

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

I have been waiting for someone to bring up the issues Beard faced at Norwalk. Thanks Mike Carr.
We are all products of our past experiences in life. Michael Beard is no different. He has experienced a car/team owner's decision to take a round. That was the team owners decision, rightfully so. He has paid his $$ & dues to be in that position & make team decisions. ( I'm not going to debate the moral issues) I would say that calling Michael a "Hypocrite" is not the correct way to view his passion or position about throwing rounds/races. Yes, I know the on line dictionary defines "Hypocrite" as: hypocrite - a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives.
I would say he formed his opinion by first hand experience. Michael & I have spent quite a bit of time(remember he drove for me in 2004) in conversations about racing & I think I understand him. I would place a pretty strong bet on the fact that if the Norwalk car's team owner ever ask Michael to drive for him again he would probably pass on the opportunity. I feel his decision would be based on that team owner not sharing the same views as Michael on head to head team match ups. I know Michael & I share the same opinion about the quality of the people involved with that team. They, like the De Franks, are stand outs in this sport & stand up people. They are "TEAM" racers.
This topic/subject is just another one of those things in life that can be viewed as "Right or Wrong" from the position you are viewing it.

Just My .02 for free

Re: Where's Paul Harvey with "The rest of the story" ???
 

Since regardless of your actions you can never please anyone - Let's look at the scenario that they did run for it and Tony won - If Jimmy then loses the championship by one round everyone one here will change Tony's name to Morgan Lucas. If you think that the rare occassion that two team cars run each other is a huge advantage, start thinking about the fact they have twice the data to dial the cars from all day long at every event. That is alot bigger advantage I think.

Now to Michael's point if a 10-car team went around positioned themselves on the ladders to buy round wins and dominate the points as a result - That is "abusing the system"