The part of this that confuses me the most is the way NHRA handled it. Even if there was an infraction, which I still don't believe there was, why did NHRA brass feel it was necessary to make this front page news? This should have been discussed behind closed doors instead of on national television coverage.

They're not even smart enough to see how this hurts the sport as a whole by going off half-cocked on really a non issue. The casual fan might reconsider attending a national event now because he's heard that one of the top teams is doing something "illegal" when it comes to fuel. Again, the casual fan, not someone that would frequent a board such as this, is not going to understand what is really going on and find something else to do with his race fan kids that weekend the drags are in town.

Let's put it this way...did NHRA's actions help promote the sport this time? Maybe if they spent more time correcting their track conditions and figuring out how they are going to survive these even tougher economic times we're heading into, they might be worth their salt.

It appears to me that NHRA's verbiage did not mention "cheating". However, in the interest of DSR, NHRA's credibility, and the professional business relationship that is of value to all parties involved NHRA should publicly readdress the charges against DSR so the "average" fan doesn't take the said charges out of context. In hindsight there have been a couple questionable components of this situation i.e. the amount of the fine and the public announcement by NHRA. NHRA should take this opportunity to show that they are a professional organization and clarify their previous statement so the average Drag Racing fan understands the charges without misconception. It would be a feather in their cap, and the right thing to do.

The one thing that has been really bothering me is why NHRA chose to do this in the first place? What would be their advantage? The only thing I could come up with is to divert attention from the track problems.....

Look at it from this prospective, if there had not been this "nitro problem" what would everybody be talking about??? Most likely the lousy and inadequate preparation of the tracks we have been to so far this year. It is un-excusable for a professional series that depends on traction to perform have tracks that have lousy traction [but the same in both lanes] to having an obvious one lane track......

If somebody can come up with something different I am all ears....

jim

jim,
why dont you and bruton just buy the damn NHRA and turn it into a damn good association. these morons in the association are nothing but two face jack asses with nothing better to do than penalize someone not having the right sticker on their nitro....when i go to the next race, i think i'm just gonna walk around and slap vp racing fuel stickers on all the barrels to make sure all my favorite racing teams stay intact.

Regarding coming up with something different; like Mom used to say, "Consider the source". I doubt that they were trying to detract attention from the track conditions although I would agree with your comments on them.

Probably to the angst of those who think I am the devil himself, I pretty well I agree with the comments made already.

I never believed that the fuel in storage was being used, that is why they were in storage. I also believed when DSR came out and said the fuel was never used.

I am not going to bring up my previous concerns, they already have been misconstrued enough, but I do have one question. Why start another thread that brings it back up again?

After all the comments on the other threads, the answer to the "magic" nitro should be pretty well known.

Also, you can pretty well expect more verbal assaults against NHRA and I don't think that helps your case. I think this whole thing should have been handled by DSR by taking the high-road and deal directly with NHRA and not make statements that could hardens NHRA's stance.

It appears to me that all these statements and comments made by everyone is putting NHRA in a precarious position where they will be forced take a hard-line stance.

Let the name-calling and shaming of me begin, again.

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Paul, just another keyboard "expert"
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It doesn't matter if the NHRA did or did not say DSR was "cheating". Perception is reality. The first words I heard from a friend of mine who follows NHRA but isn't into the behind the scenes action were "Did you hear that Schumacher got caught cheating?". This from an intelligent college graduate with an MBA. As I said above, perception is reality. NHRA has stepped in it again.

HD Partners smiling.
IMG shaking their heads.

I completely agree!!!! Keep Fighting Don!!!

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Jess
AKA Double Trouble

Who was the person that went into the dsr trailer and reported the nitro to nhra?

An interesting point about the way NHRA handled it is what they didn't say at the venue. I was at the race all day Saturday and all day Sunday. Not one word was spoken about it to the live audience. I didn't find out about it until I read it on the internet and saw it on my TiVo.

So the way it looks is that NHRA went directly and exclusively to the media to discuss this but didn't feel it necessary to tell the people who paid money to be there (or, as it turns out, DSR -- but that's another issue). If this was such a big deal that it warranted this huge fine, why not tell everyone?

It seems as if NHRA was really only out to make a big scene, to make some kind of example of, or worse, to publicly humiliate DSR. That's warped.

This inability for NHRA to admit they acted hastily, and blemished the reputation of a leading team and group of sponsors is inexcusable. This action should have been behind the scenes, and worked out quietly and professionally. This should not have been a media event.

The lack of a retraction reminds me of the finish line photo shot of Steve Johnson "not winning" Indy..... Sometimes you have to admit that things get messed up.

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Owner builder and tuner of the first 7 second diesel dragster... Cummins Power and Biodiesel fueled....
www.cumminsracing.com

I was asked to post this by a friend and fellow racer. This seems like a good place to put it. I am for anything to keep the costs of Nitro down for all us racers who use it.

Rapid





show support of lower fuel costs: Wear a Yellow Ribbon to the Racetrack, take some spares and offer them out for the support of Lower Nitro Costs

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http://WWW.RAPIDRANDY.COM

I'm fairly certain that it was Whit Bazemore!

Now thats funny! Lance!