And people wonder why PJ has an issue with the Countdown.....

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I thought she did a very nice job transitioning from T/F to F/C. She seems to be a good leaver and can certainly handle an out of shape car. When I mentioned marketability it is because of how she handles herself. I didn't mention anything about being a woman. Who pissed in your Cheerios today?

I have to preface this. I don't know Mr. Burgess and have never met him. I know nothing about his company or his financial status. However, I tend to get a bad taste in my mouth when I read a release such as this. How many times have we seen this before? First, word spreads around the campfire that a certain team is going to be parked. Next, the team issues a release saying everything hunky-doory and they aren't going anywhere. Finally, the team pulls the plug and the driver gets screwed. The driver is always the last to know and they find out too late in the season to put something new together. I sure hope I'm wrong on this one and everything works out for everybody involved. Mel is a great person and I think she is an asset to this sport. She has been through this too many times to have it happen again. I'm hoping for the best.

Dave

~ I wonder if Max Naylor and his recept acquisition of Vegas Fuel will have the same issues???? -----not to hijack the thread, just didnt feel it warranted starting a new one.....

Nobody Dave.
I just get curious as to why someone deems somebody is one of the best.
Everything you described can be done by any of the other drivers out there.
I just wanted know Dave, I didn't meant to rain on your parade.
I know people have personal preferences to drivers but one thing is certain anybody can drive these cars if they have the desire and means.
Perferct example is Antrone Brown! You here some of the veterans say you should ease you're way into the nitro cars and work your way up but he is a perfect example that you DON'T!
He is very talented and should be a decent driver for years to come!

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not sure why he would, or anyone else. I know that we have run our race team under our business with zero issues, in fact there are tax benefits to doing it. Look at Jegs, I don't think the Coughlin brothers have any issues.

If Gary can clinch a spot in the top 10 it will be interesting to see if goes to Maple Grove, because he would have little incentive points wise to do so.

Dave,

This is not a press release. This is a story we interviewed and wrote. -- Bobby

I agree with everything you say. I was impressed the race that Melanie won by how she actually had to drive and manhandle the thing. BTW, forgot my smiley face after my last sentence of the previous post.

Thanks for the clarification BB!

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Mel drove the wheels of the thing that day she won. I was very, very impressed by more than one of her runs that day.

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Bobby please check you're PM.

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a.k.a. Megadeth

Damn straight. There were at least two and maybe three runs where she really had to drive it. It was using a lot of lane. I know it's a team effort but she more than did her share that day.

Gary and I discussed his budget a couple weeks ago when I interviewed him before the race. I asked him about his sponsorship deal with Racebricks, how that came about, and he mentioned that he is seeking additional funding. Some of what he told me was off the record but important for context. So, I just left it out of my story because if he's talking to other potential sponsors to keep racing (which he said is getting harder due to the massive fuel cost increases among other things) I didn't want to stir the pot.

It's clearly no secret to others in drag racing Gary's running on a shoe string budget but he specifically told me that "we're at a point where it's a race by race scenario."

I didn't want to pry further because I understand how tenuous potential sponsorship deals may be especially given the competition. But he sounded skeptical about the idea of heading too far from home (i.e. SoCal) for races. Vegas, sure, Pomona, sure. To the East Coast? Maybe not.

So, having spent some time chatting with him on Saturday about costs after qualifying and seeing how well the team did on Sunday, I've got my fingers crossed he can find some additional funding to pay for the nitro and the diesel to haul "the circus" across the country.

That's what I know. Take it, as always, for what you will.

Yeah maybe, but anybody think that after such a run a driver could be greeted by the crew chief with "what was that ****?...why did you let this thing get out of the groove?!"

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