DQ at ATCO

[Bill Bagley]

Originally Posted by Dan Fletcher

Well Ken, I was going to let this go as its really no one's business, but seeing as you decided to offer up the facts in only a slightly less vanilla version than offered on NHRA.com, please allow me to paint a more detailed picture.

Yes, we've been having trouble with the car at idle. Thomas always lights the pre-stage bulb and grabs a chunk so it doesn't take forever to stage. He lit both by mistake. Tex is 2 cars away, not even in the frame. Thomas immediately backs out of the stage bulb. Tex now approaches and dump trucks into both and puts it on the mat. Now is when the idle problem comes into play, as it takes Thomas a minute to get the rpm set (true foot braker, no 2 step). And as he is further from the stage bulb than normal, its takes him a bit longer to get in. Yep, he used up most of the auto start. Repeat, auto start. Can't burn anyone down.

Thomas gets to the strip first and in the shutdown at very high speed Tex swerves in front of him, narrowly missing contact and such that Thomas had to slam on the brakes. Tex then proceeds to weave back in forth in front of him like a pissed off road rager on the freeway.

At this point, Thomas still has no inkling of what the eff just happened or why. Then at the scales and fuel check Tex absolutely looses his friggin' mind. Screaming and MF'ing Thomas, nose in his chest, telling him if he ever does that again he'll put him in the effin' wall. Repeatedly and in front of officials. Physically and verbally abused by a sawed off 70+ year old man and had to stand there and take it because, well, there was really no other option.

As Keno pointed out, initially Thomas tried to apologize, explain what took him most of the auto start to stage, and that if he took too long auto start would have red lighted him. Tex wasn't having any of it, instead just screaming "you double bulbed me and backed out and I don't know nothing about auto start". And for long time D1 competitors, you have to love the irony here, Tex Miller complaining about being burned down, lmfao.

This man went absolutely bat **** crazy for no reason, at least no logical reason. This was Q1 on Friday am at a points meet. He swerved in front of his opponent at nearly 100 mph and then went on a mentally imbalanced tirade. Not someone I want in the lane next to me, and apparently he won't be for a while...

Thanks for the detail Dan.

Reminded me of a recent discussion I was having with a very good friend of mine (he and I both being long time small business owners in retail trade) about our customer demographic; specifically, those who are a pleasure to deal with VS those who we wish would become someone else's customers. We kinda' surprised each other on the latter, agreeing that 'old caucasian men' are unmistakably the quickest tempered, unashamed to make horse's behinds of themselves in public and most difficult to reason with - Demographic.

In this particular case, one question followed by a simple answer (at the end of the run) should have resolved it all. But no, the worse case scenario was assumed and subsequent behavior ensued. Being on the receiving end of an unwarranted outbust like this takes a little time to get over and for some, makes moving forward a challenge. It's traumatizing, doesn't matter what your age is.

There are certainly plenty of exceptions among this age group, many who are among our drag racing community. Lets hope Tex can reflect, make it good with Thomas and move on.

[Larry Hill]

How could someone get that upset when Thomas did nothing outside the rules. I'm glad that nobody got hurt, during this senseless act.

[Hacksaw]

Here is my take on this. First off, no doubt Tex went way overboard and the penalty imposed seems to suit. Now let's look at the probable series of events that changed a happy guy moments before the run into a maniac. The two cars get called out past the ready line to make a run and Thomas quickly is in the box and does his burnout before Tex gets there. Tex starts his burnout and looks up and both stage lights are lit in the other lane. Naturally Tex feels like he is being rushed so he finishes his burnout and drives right up to the line. Now Thomas backs out and leaves the prestage on. Tex is ready to go and Thomas is using up 9 of the 10 seconds of auto start. Now Tex can't help but think the guy in the other lane is trying to screw him around and he loses his mind at the end of the run.

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by Hacksaw

Here is my take on this. First off, no doubt Tex went way overboard and the penalty imposed seems to suit. Now let's look at the probable series of events that changed a happy guy moments before the run into a maniac. The two cars get called out past the ready line to make a run and Thomas quickly is in the box and does his burnout before Tex gets there. Tex starts his burnout and looks up and both stage lights are lit in the other lane. Naturally Tex feels like he is being rushed so he finishes his burnout and drives right up to the line. Now Thomas backs out and leaves the prestage on. Tex is ready to go and Thomas is using up 9 of the 10 seconds of auto start. Now Tex can't help but think the guy in the other lane is trying to screw him around and he loses his mind at the end of the run.

If you know Tex as some of us have for 35+ years this ain't nothing new. Only thing different is he stepped up his game.

[vic guilmino]

Tex was wrong yes BUT
well Dan i know how you feel about us old people sawed off 70 year olds
thanks i know now

[Dan Fletcher]

Originally Posted by vic guilmino

Tex was wrong yes BUT
well Dan i know how you feel about us old people sawed off 70 year olds
thanks i know now

Brilliant take Vic, I can totally see how you'd find that offensive. Allow me to suggest "taking in context" or "reading for comprehension" as additions to your action item agenda...

[tim worner]

I'm a 70 yr old but took no offence...of course i'm not sawed off

[Mike Gray]

I think this thread is getting carried away.
I see your take on it but its not an excuse for what he did. This is stock qualifying why would he be upset over his mistake of getting on the 2 step or setting the rpm before the other car was even staged.
In super-gas I never put my car on the converter at 5000rpm before the other car lit both bulbs. The starter always gave enough time to get it on the converter and I'm talking pro light. These guys have a 3 amber count to work with.

Originally Posted by Hacksaw

Here is my take on this. First off, no doubt Tex went way overboard and the penalty imposed seems to suit. Now let's look at the probable series of events that changed a happy guy moments before the run into a maniac. The two cars get called out past the ready line to make a run and Thomas quickly is in the box and does his burnout before Tex gets there. Tex starts his burnout and looks up and both stage lights are lit in the other lane. Naturally Tex feels like he is being rushed so he finishes his burnout and drives right up to the line. Now Thomas backs out and leaves the prestage on. Tex is ready to go and Thomas is using up 9 of the 10 seconds of auto start. Now Tex can't help but think the guy in the other lane is trying to screw him around and he loses his mind at the end of the run.

[Bob Mulry]

People should be careful around old white dudes because we have no impulse control....or so I was told… and it really pissed me off….

Just sayin'

[Mike Jones]

Originally Posted by Bill Bagley

Thanks for the detail Dan.

Reminded me of a recent discussion I was having with a very good friend of mine (he and I both being long time small business owners in retail trade) about our customer demographic; specifically, those who are a pleasure to deal with VS those who we wish would become someone else's customers. We kinda' surprised each other on the latter, agreeing that 'old caucasian men' are unmistakably the quickest tempered, unashamed to make horse's behinds of themselves in public and most difficult to reason with - Demographic.

In this particular case, one question followed by a simple answer (at the end of the run) should have resolved it all. But no, the worse case scenario was assumed and subsequent behavior ensued. Being on the receiving end of an unwarranted outbust like this takes a little time to get over and for some, makes moving forward a challenge. It's traumatizing, doesn't matter what your age is.

There are certainly plenty of exceptions among this age group, many who are among our drag racing community. Lets hope Tex can reflect, make it good with Thomas and move on.

Just nothing quite like those "old Caucasian men"
Mike A114