Black Cat Award
 

Rick Winchester had motor home issues on way to Bowling Green towed etc then on way to Indy same issue towed etc ($$$) had to get help just to get to Indy .... Qualifies opponent no shows he gets heads up alternate ... Makes it to 3rd round is 000 on tree motor grenades at 1/8 mile pole .... As he's sitting at his trailer after the tow (probably contemplating life) NHRA shows up and fines him $500 for the oil down. If karma works he's winning Indy next year 🍀 Sorry buddy !

Re: Black Cat Award
 

Runner up Tommy Pettigrew makes last run to get in #127 but loses motor on the pass

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Nowadays it's posts like this that makes me feel like if I go to a race, have no troubles getting there, and make it back home ok, that I feel like I won the race no matter how good or bad I did racing.

Re: Black Cat Award
 

If it wasn't for bad luck. Sorry to hear this.

He made round 4 and his opponent had the .000 RT. Looks like the heads up -1.021 in round 3 was the end.

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That's a rough 12 days for Rick. He has always been a hard worker. The Corvette is absolutely beautiful and was running as good as she looks in Bowling Green and Indy. I just have a problem with these oil down fines.I don't have a solution, but there has got to be a better way to treat the customer.......

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X2 on that Bill. You cant win enough money if something breaks in your car or tow rig. On my way to the gators this year I blew a front tire on my toter. $1400 for two new fronts and roadside service.

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Yeah, I do too, especially since now a days Stockers/Super Stockers are running for about half of what NHRA and contingency use to pay. How about if there's NO oil Downs in Stock or Super Stock NHRA pay $500 more for the win? OH! Sorry about your luck or lack of,
Rick. Take care, man.

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I had the oil down conversation with Peter Clifford at the Houston Nat event. I was told that the fines reduced the amount of oil downs and got no sense that there was any willingness on NHRAs part to change. No one could tell me how a fine after the engine loss helped prevent it. I also understand that keeping the TV schedule seemed to be of the upmost importance to them. I've been to a few races to this year and there just doesn't seem to be an over abundance of oil downs. Perhaps we could get Nitro Joe to do some stats for us on oil downs at divisional and national events. Maybe some info for our Representatives to use in arguing against the fines. Mike McMahan 2543 H/SA

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Received my fourth rd. looser check today complete with a 250.00 oil down fine. I guess the NHRA needs the money more than I do so I am returning the 150.00 sent to me. I wonder when they are going to start charging for water in the burn-out box, weighing the cars, printing time tickets, and checking fuel as these are all part of running a race too. I think Wally Parks would fire the brain surgeon who decided to fine sportsman racers for oil-downs ,as if losing a engine isn't bad enough. I guess it was the same guy who reserved the Hurst bridge for Top Eliminator ticket holders while sending fans between race cars trying to get to the starting line which is crazy at best. I could go on about some of the other bull crap that went on this year at Indy but it is obvious the people in charge could not care any less. I am sending a copy of this post with the check as I do not want anyone to think I am happy with the way they are ruining our sport. I see a lot more combo races in my future and no national events. Rick Winchester 3277(at least for now)

Re: Black Cat Award
 

The problem is that the executives at NHRA don't have the grass roots experience to make good decisions for sportsman and they are not mature enough to take advice from their teams that are customer facing. The pros should have some negative reinforcement when it comes to oil downs, especially the nitro cars. The problem is that the disconnected executives that should be listening, choose not to. The end game is the same, but there are different paths to get there for sportsman. I would say NHRA should offer a discount on every entry fee for an entire year for competitors that proactively install an oil containment device. Maybe a ten dollar rebate for each entry or whatever amount they choose. The point is that there are ways to get things done without it being a kick in the pants to the sportsman racer.