[quote=Ian Sweeney;46893]Ian, how could it not stick? It's completely appropriate and befitting his talent! Still, I got a good chuckle from your reply. Thanks.

__________________
Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.

I wonder if he knows it yet.

You people are reading way into this too much. Bernstein could care less about your/my feelings about stealing/offering a job to Walsh. Just because KB throws Walsh a bone and he accepts alot of people here are pissed w/ KB???HUH?? You should be pissed w/ Walsh......Bernstein has a popular name w/ the general public......When I used to work @ UPS everyone there, well the guys, knew who Bernstein, Muldowney and Garlits were. But only a few knew who John Force was or that UPS even sponsored a Fuel car. Bernstein had the biggest name in Drag Racing until he left for Top fuel. Kenny is the most successful businessman in regards to finances in the pits today.
KB is the only drag racer to make it on the 'lifestyles of the rich and famous' program......Don't be mad @ the player...........GO KENNY....

uh ... are u sure about that !

what about that fella that currently runs 3 nitro cars and has a fleet of jets ?? i forget his his name but he's from the Michigan area!!



jf

Come on Terry! Give me a break!

You're right, but I understand Terry's point of view too.

Still, I don't care how financially successful a man or woman becomes... If they had to hurt, undermine or otherwise negatively affect others to do it, then it just doesn't impress me. I'm sorry, that's how I feel.

What continues to amaze me is the fact that sponsors spend their money on 300+ M.P.H. billboards in order to sell a product to us, the fans - not to qualify in the top half or win rounds. Sure, those results should be side benefits and perhaps even stated goals, but credibility & integrity will (read: "SHOULD") sell more products than any qualifying efforts or round/race wins. Do you really go out and buy Oakley because Gary Scelzi wins a race? No, you buy them because of your respect for Jim Jannard and the product he sells. Yet, more and more fans are willing to accept these perceived negative business practices as the norm. Well, not me.

As another example, if Jeg Coughlin never wins another round of racing I'll continue to shop at Jeg's because of the way the Coughlin's carry themselves on a daily basis.

Perhaps this horse seems to have been kicked well beyond death, but to me it's at the heart of the future of drag racing in general and the world as a whole. Maybe I've finally lost it, who knows?

__________________
Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.

If your ability to articulate an intelligent perspective during a debate is any indicator, you've far from lost it.
On the other hand...

James.....in regards to personal wealth Amato and Bernstein are @ the top in the drag racing ranks. Kalitta is up there but he does not out-right own the fleet he has....very few people in the aviation business ever have a 'pink' slip to their crafts. Connie makes more money in maintenance and charters than anything else....old news...
In the 80's the pro teams came together to form a charter or organization to represent the teams and every owner of a fuel car voted for KB to lead them.

Almost everyone here would leave their current place of employment for a huge pay raise and a solid contract. KB is in it for the long haul...Tuttle is having fun and will park that car in a second. Walsh had no contract has does J.R.
If Kenny offered J.R. a job and he accepted would everyone be bummed?
Being a hired driver is a sketchy gig today. Unless you come onboard w/ money (like Cory M) you could be removed form the seat anytime. Very few hired guns have contracts that are binding....most just love to drive fuel cars...I know crew guys on top five teams that are still working for a bed and meal only....

Terry,

YOU DON'T KNOW SH$T ABOUT CONNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Or the personal economics in the pits.
There are guys there named Jannard, Knoll, Black etc.

If you look at this realistically in terms of Kenny, Jannard, for example, would be "Monster".

No knock on Kenny, but he races on the dimes of others. There are more than a few that are doing it on there own (dime/dollars). Kalitta has and will.

I think most sponsors want their "rolling billboards" to make rounds. (Be a winner) If you are not winning and going rounds you are going to have a hard time keeping the $$$$ coming in. You will not get a lot of TV coverage by not making the show and not making rounds unless you are doing something out of the ordinary. Most people prefer winners over losers.

Hey, brother-in-laws sister, you tell em'!!!!!!

__________________
GO BUCKEYES!!!

Terry, perhaps you're right that most would leave for better money - but I'm not on that list. I've been in the Navy for 21 1/2 years as an air traffic controller while folks I went to school with are tower controllers at O'Hare, or TRACON controllers in Northern CA, or Center controllers in Salt Lake City... Who do you think is getting the bigger payday every two weeks? Hint: It's not me. Granted, it's my choice & I don't begrudge them for doing what they do. In fact, I have nothing but respect for them. I'm merely making the point that it isn't (or shouldn't) always be about money, and with me it's not. Of course the Capitalistic system we have in place in this country says otherwise. But I will continue to contend that one can pursue and achieve financial success without necessarily hurting others.

As for your comment on hired drivers - I agree wholeheartedly. Being a huge Brady Kalivoda fan I know all too well the insecurities and monetary politics surrounding hired guns in the fuel categories.

__________________
Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.

Gordon.....good post and I understand your position but what if your current day-to-day job was not solid? Meaning you could be laid off tomorrow....but what if you were offered the same job position, more money and a long-term contract w/ little geographical location change?
You'd accept the offer as would I if in that position...

Agreed, but being a winner doesn't necessarily amount to winning rounds. And I reiterate what I wrote, qualifying and winning rounds should be stated goals for any team.

I think Monster was getting plenty o' ink during the first two races of the season. And I'll reiterate something I wrote a while back in this thread - I had a lot more respect for the struggling Kenny Bernstein (and I was willing to purchase Monster) than I'm going to have if he suddenly comes out and starts qualifying and winning rounds as a result of this action (and I will NOT buy Monster). He was working hard and he made me want him and the team to find the answers and succeed - this wasn't what I had in mind & now I hope he continues to struggle...

__________________
Gordon 'Flaps' Carlon
Work the solution, not the problem.