Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenny5160
I took this from a post that Bob Unkefer has going on Facebook. He made this post personally:
"Short version, technical difficulties in the tower (my bad) and drivers already strapped into Alky dragsters on a 100 degree day. The pledge has been said before to Honor our Country and reciting the Pledge TOGETHER pays the honor to our country that it is due. Like I said, not a HMP or NHRA decision, trying to pay Honor and keep the race moving along."
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So is that the real story or is the quote from Mr Evens on this site correct? Acording to him it was ready to go no mention of technical difficulties.
"First, let me say it is great to see the passion coming through in this debate and peoples feelings on something that has become so routine in public sporting events.
The decision over the pledge and/or anthem was among people in the tower. I was prepared either way to play or not play the anthem. The cue for saying the pledge comes from the example set at the Chili Bowl which also says the pledge in lieu of playing of the anthem. To hear thousands of people engaged and actively participating in the opening act of the event can be very powerful - especially if they believe in the words they are reciting.
Not playing the anthem was not in any way intended to be disrespectful to anyone in attendance or watching on the feed, and not an effort to be "politically correct". It was also not a directive from Glendora. It was simply to get people to engage and participate.
In person, the majority of people that expressed an opinion to the staff in the tower were good with it, although some wanted to understand the logic behind it.
I am sure this will be discussed moving forward and may or may not happen again. But again, there was no disrespect intended at all by anyone involved."