NHRA's Best attribute...

Jack McCarthy · 08-25-2008, 10:35 AM

i own my own business... i have also worked for the largest bowling center corporation in the world. i know that large corporations often lose sight of what makes them work... EMPLOYEES. Quite often the officers, bean counters and attorneys are too busy doing thier thing to realize that without the employees who deal daily with the customers that they and thier jobs would not matter and soon dry up and disappear.
This thread is directed towards TRAVIS MILLER, however i know that there exits quite a few like him. In todays world to find and employee who truly cares about doing his job is rare. to find one who loves doing his job is almost non existent - i know.
What a gem to have, someone who since i met him as techman at ohio valley raceway in 1974, who thru over 20 teardowns starting with 1979 doorslammer national winners, 2 DQ's and many national records has always treated me fairly and WITH RESPECT. This is an employee to die for. Travis comes with a VAST amount of knowledge and experience that years of training cannot ever replace. Travis is paid hourly + expenses on weekends when he works...call him at home anytime and he works for NHRA for free - answering questions, often with a "bring it over lets have a look".
When someone who is known to be strict with the published rules has the RESPECT of all of his customers it means one thing > that while he may need to enforce the rules he does it FAIRLY and HONESTLY. this exemplifies travis and his ethics.
Having over 20 current employees, and once as regional training manager for AMF with 13 centers and 400 employees i learned that if you do not respect and appreciate employees like travis one of two things will happen... either they quit or they turn sour on your company and no longer are willing to take care of your customers or even do thier job 1/2 assed.
Every time NHRA reinstated a racer travis has ruled illegal they DISRESPECT his knowledge and integrity. NO CROSSBREEDING of parts (BLOCKS / RODS) 3 angle valve jobs, head CC's all overuled in just the last few years at indy alone... Now NHRA has sent a WRITTEN reprimand to him (in corporate terms the "protect our *** when we fire him letter") because he was on his own time HELPING racers understand how and why he makes decisions concerning thier sport. As far as the racing public knowing what goes on in tech do you know why Joe Gibbs was fined and reprimanded last week in nascar ? hell yeah we do... so, what is wrong with travis telling us what really happened instead of letting the forums keyboard rumor mills spread lies and gossip ??? Once again, on his own time helping customers for his corporate bosses...

i hope travis does not quit, but if you do i am sure we can find you a job making more money working for someone who appreciates the qualities you put forth everyday.

sincerely, jack mccarthy

Chuck Norton · 08-25-2008, 11:40 AM

When integrity is removed from any equation the most favorable possible end result is a loss for all concerned. The least favorable end result is utter chaos and anarchy. Who knows where this saga will end?

That maxim applies to bowling alleys, schools, governmental operations, and even to part-time hobbies such as drag racing.

Hang in there, Travis,

c

Bruce Schoenbaechler · 08-25-2008, 11:42 AM

Good post Jack. I didn't hear anything about a reprimand, and I hope Travis doesn't quit. Although I'm out of racing. I dealt with Travis during tech and found him to be extremely knowlegable and fair. He goes by the rule book...which is the way it should be.

Mike Pearson · 08-25-2008, 02:00 PM

I havn't had any dealings with Travis as far as tech goes. I pretty much stay in div 2. I really liked when he would get on the board and give us updates on tech related issues. His responses were always very buisnes like and to the point. Never had anything bad to say about anyone. Hopefully he will be allowed to continue to use this venue to educate us on tech related topics. As for the DQ they always use to announce the reasons for disqualifications and the penalties in the national dragster. I dont know if they are still doing that. I personally think they should publicize all of the rules infractions and what the penalties are.

Biscayne · 08-25-2008, 02:21 PM

I am building a stocker, and hope to have the car out before the end of this year. Reading this stuff really makes you not wanna go forward with it. Seeing how the guys that have been racing for years are treated and how they feel. If it wasn't for the racers in all classes (including the pros) there would be no NHRA. They better wise up. And start treating people a little better. Including their employees.

Alan Roehrich · 08-25-2008, 02:38 PM

I walked up to Travis for fuel check Friday, he had a BIG smile for me, and called me by name. He has ALWAYS been straight up, honest, and helpful. When I screwed up first round and lost, I went to the trailer without my time slip. I walked back and got it, he had another big smile, and asked "walking off a bad one?" He got me laughing and poking fun at my own stupid mistake.

In my opinion, NHRA has already made a HUGE mistake in reprimanding Travis. If they let him go, or force him out, it is OUR loss. They DON'T CARE. But we should damned sure make our feelings known. As I said in the other thread, the one thing NHRA needs most is straight talk. What Travis did most likely prevented others from repeating those mistakes. That makes his job easier, but most of all, it makes tech easier on the racers, and may prevent someone from a long drive after a DQ for an honest over sight.

bobby · 08-25-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

.

They DON'T CARE.

NHRA cares about something?

bill dedman · 08-25-2008, 07:11 PM

They most certainly do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's called: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Jim Wahl · 08-25-2008, 09:30 PM

Jack and Alan are absolutely correct. NHRA should be kissing Travis's butt instead of trying to shut him up! Remember when NHRA couldn't wait to tell everyone about Schumacher's fine? They couldn't even wait until the race was over! Travis is with out a doubt the most knowledgeable tech man NHRA has! NHRA is slowly emploding. They are shooting themselves in the foot. They are killing this sport for ALL of us. Seeing all of these weekly "enhancements" is like watching someone die slowly, it's very painful. Jim

Smitty · 08-25-2008, 10:17 PM

I guess this is a part time job for Travis and I am sure he loves it; but if I were un appreciated I would say f them and air all their dirty laundry. The NHRA is, well I don't have words for them but they are proving what they are concerned most with and it damn sure isn't sportsmen racers. If Travis leaves or is fired I say the racers should boycott!!!! We gotta take a stand somewhere to show them we don't appreciate their mistreatment.

08-25-2008, 10:35 AM	#1
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,318 Likes: 28 Liked 459 Times in 113 Posts	NHRA's Best attribute... i own my own business... i have also worked for the largest bowling center corporation in the world. i know that large corporations often lose sight of what makes them work... EMPLOYEES. Quite often the officers, bean counters and attorneys are too busy doing thier thing to realize that without the employees who deal daily with the customers that they and thier jobs would not matter and soon dry up and disappear. This thread is directed towards TRAVIS MILLER, however i know that there exits quite a few like him. In todays world to find and employee who truly cares about doing his job is rare. to find one who loves doing his job is almost non existent - i know. What a gem to have, someone who since i met him as techman at ohio valley raceway in 1974, who thru over 20 teardowns starting with 1979 doorslammer national winners, 2 DQ's and many national records has always treated me fairly and WITH RESPECT. This is an employee to die for. Travis comes with a VAST amount of knowledge and experience that years of training cannot ever replace. Travis is paid hourly + expenses on weekends when he works...call him at home anytime and he works for NHRA for free - answering questions, often with a "bring it over lets have a look". When someone who is known to be strict with the published rules has the RESPECT of all of his customers it means one thing > that while he may need to enforce the rules he does it FAIRLY and HONESTLY. this exemplifies travis and his ethics. Having over 20 current employees, and once as regional training manager for AMF with 13 centers and 400 employees i learned that if you do not respect and appreciate employees like travis one of two things will happen... either they quit or they turn sour on your company and no longer are willing to take care of your customers or even do thier job 1/2 assed. Every time NHRA reinstated a racer travis has ruled illegal they DISRESPECT his knowledge and integrity. NO CROSSBREEDING of parts (BLOCKS / RODS) 3 angle valve jobs, head CC's all overuled in just the last few years at indy alone... Now NHRA has sent a WRITTEN reprimand to him (in corporate terms the "protect our *** when we fire him letter") because he was on his own time HELPING racers understand how and why he makes decisions concerning thier sport. As far as the racing public knowing what goes on in tech do you know why Joe Gibbs was fined and reprimanded last week in nascar ? hell yeah we do... so, what is wrong with travis telling us what really happened instead of letting the forums keyboard rumor mills spread lies and gossip ??? Once again, on his own time helping customers for his corporate bosses... i hope travis does not quit, but if you do i am sure we can find you a job making more money working for someone who appreciates the qualities you put forth everyday. sincerely, jack mccarthy __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"

08-25-2008, 11:40 AM	#2
Chuck Norton Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Covina, CA Posts: 474 Likes: 105 Liked 88 Times in 19 Posts	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... When integrity is removed from any equation the most favorable possible end result is a loss for all concerned. The least favorable end result is utter chaos and anarchy. Who knows where this saga will end? That maxim applies to bowling alleys, schools, governmental operations, and even to part-time hobbies such as drag racing. Hang in there, Travis, c

08-25-2008, 11:42 AM	#3
Bruce Schoenbaechler Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Myrtle Beach, S.C. Posts: 33 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... Good post Jack. I didn't hear anything about a reprimand, and I hope Travis doesn't quit. Although I'm out of racing. I dealt with Travis during tech and found him to be extremely knowlegable and fair. He goes by the rule book...which is the way it should be. __________________ SCHOENY

08-25-2008, 02:00 PM	#4
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,444 Likes: 613 Liked 1,916 Times in 574 Posts	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... I havn't had any dealings with Travis as far as tech goes. I pretty much stay in div 2. I really liked when he would get on the board and give us updates on tech related issues. His responses were always very buisnes like and to the point. Never had anything bad to say about anyone. Hopefully he will be allowed to continue to use this venue to educate us on tech related topics. As for the DQ they always use to announce the reasons for disqualifications and the penalties in the national dragster. I dont know if they are still doing that. I personally think they should publicize all of the rules infractions and what the penalties are. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

08-25-2008, 02:21 PM	#5
Biscayne Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Md Posts: 93 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... I am building a stocker, and hope to have the car out before the end of this year. Reading this stuff really makes you not wanna go forward with it. Seeing how the guys that have been racing for years are treated and how they feel. If it wasn't for the racers in all classes (including the pros) there would be no NHRA. They better wise up. And start treating people a little better. Including their employees.

08-25-2008, 02:38 PM	#6
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,105 Likes: 1,564 Liked 1,789 Times in 408 Posts	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... I walked up to Travis for fuel check Friday, he had a BIG smile for me, and called me by name. He has ALWAYS been straight up, honest, and helpful. When I screwed up first round and lost, I went to the trailer without my time slip. I walked back and got it, he had another big smile, and asked "walking off a bad one?" He got me laughing and poking fun at my own stupid mistake. In my opinion, NHRA has already made a HUGE mistake in reprimanding Travis. If they let him go, or force him out, it is OUR loss. They DON'T CARE. But we should damned sure make our feelings known. As I said in the other thread, the one thing NHRA needs most is straight talk. What Travis did most likely prevented others from repeating those mistakes. That makes his job easier, but most of all, it makes tech easier on the racers, and may prevent someone from a long drive after a DQ for an honest over sight. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

08-25-2008, 07:11 PM	#8
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... They most certainly do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's called: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ __________________ Bill

08-25-2008, 09:30 PM	#9
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... Jack and Alan are absolutely correct. NHRA should be kissing Travis's butt instead of trying to shut him up! Remember when NHRA couldn't wait to tell everyone about Schumacher's fine? They couldn't even wait until the race was over! Travis is with out a doubt the most knowledgeable tech man NHRA has! NHRA is slowly emploding. They are shooting themselves in the foot. They are killing this sport for ALL of us. Seeing all of these weekly "enhancements" is like watching someone die slowly, it's very painful. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

08-25-2008, 10:17 PM	#10
Smitty Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gibsonton, FL Posts: 267 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: NHRA's Best attribute... I guess this is a part time job for Travis and I am sure he loves it; but if I were un appreciated I would say f them and air all their dirty laundry. The NHRA is, well I don't have words for them but they are proving what they are concerned most with and it damn sure isn't sportsmen racers. If Travis leaves or is fired I say the racers should boycott!!!! We gotta take a stand somewhere to show them we don't appreciate their mistreatment.