Plea To Nhra Funny Car Teams

#31 03-29-2007, 02:18 AM

I Vote for a ALL FUEL CARS Crakle Fest on the WHOLE Strip..

R.I.P. Eric

#32 03-29-2007, 04:15 AM

I can certainly see a problem to both sides here. At first I thought it silly not to count points to honor Eric. Then I figured it is NOT to honor Eric but to honor and respect JFR and families for all they have done for the sport. The way I read JFRs website, they are investigating and attempting to keep this tragedy from happening again to another racer, any racer, as well as Erics teammates. It is these things that will ultimately make it a safer sport. That said I understand the need to continue with the race schedule due to the enormous logistics involved. If my vote counted, I would vote for no FC points. Let em race for trophies and glory and a chance to honor Eric.

#33 03-29-2007, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Ashley

Just this morning Bobby Bennett and I discussed this very subject. I am all for this move. I feel very, very strongly that it's the correct thing to do for many reasons. We should race and forfeit all points. This would be a tremendous show of solidarity and unity in a time of crises for JFR and our beloved sport. I'm fairly certain if and when JFR finds the cause of this disaster we would all be happy to learn from his effort, so in turn we must be willing to show some sacrifice in the interest of fairness.

I floated this idea to Alan R, already this morning at the funeral and he said he would bring it up when the time came. Let's see how the Glendora group responds.

GD bless the Force and Medlen families. They are all wonderful people and
let's hope for some peace for them.

My 2 Cents..

Expect to Win,

Mike Ashley

great post mike, i totally agree, no points would be a great gesture for all involved! thanks you for posting and being such a great and caring competitor.

#34 03-29-2007, 06:21 AM

I thought about this, too. The only way it could be done would be through, and with the approval of, NHRA. There are ways for a racer to forego points (passing the scales and fuel, removing required decals, etc) but they would all lead to a full disqualification. To keep the event from becoming confrontational NHRA would have to automatically erase all event points.

I'm all for the cackle fest idea. Shades of OCIR's Manufacturer's Championship event.

#35 03-29-2007, 07:30 AM

No one would force anyone to do anything. I was asking for the Funny Car teams to pass on just ONE race. I know millions of dollars are being spent and I know a lot is at stake. I just felt it would be classy for the Funny Car teams just to pass on ONE race until JFR get back into racing.

You can't compare this to Blaine and Darrell. It's like comparing apples to oranges. The points didn't go with the team, it went with the driver.

As much as this is in tribute to Eric, it for the guys like Robert Hight and John Force to not be penalized for taking a race off to deal with grief and seeking answers that WILL one day save another driver's life.

It would not adversely affect a team to pass on the points and wouldn't tarnish the crown one bit if everyone voted UNANIMOUSLY. It would be a compassionate move.

#36 03-29-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Ashley

Just this morning Bobby Bennett and I discussed this very subject. I am all for this move. I feel very, very strongly that it's the correct thing to do for many reasons. We should race and forfeit all points. This would be a tremendous show of solidarity and unity in a time of crises for JFR and our beloved sport. I'm fairly certain if and when JFR finds the cause of this disaster we would all be happy to learn from his effort, so in turn we must be willing to show some sacrifice in the interest of fairness.

I floated this idea to Alan R, already this morning at the funeral and he said he would bring it up when the time came. Let's see how the Glendora group responds.

GD bless the Force and Medlen families. They are all wonderful people and
let's hope for some peace for them.

My 2 Cents..

Expect to Win,

Mike Ashley

Exactly. It would go a long way in demonstrating to people that some things are still more important than "points", that how you win is still more important than whether you win.

#37 03-29-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginger Masse

Maybe NHRA could have a drivers/owners meeting for the FC teams and take a vote. If the teams had an overwhelming majority in wanting to forfeit points, then I don't see any harm.

I think ideally though, Eric would want "the chase" to continue. Even though it would be with heavy hearts, I think everyone should dig down and consider what Eric would have wanted. I don't pretend to know Eric or what he would have wanted, but those who did should take that into consideration with regards to the points situation at Houston.

Just my .02

I would see it as a gesture toward the rest of JFR for what they're going through more than I would as it being more for Eric. Since JFR is already not going to be there, Eric might appreciate the rest of the field not taking advantage of the situation and gaining points over JFR.

#38 03-29-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerrod Felix

i don't agree...this wasn't done with Blaine and Darrell when they passed, so why do it now. to me it would be disrespectful to those 2 fallen heros.

That sounds more like you're giving "Because that's the way it's always been done." as a reason, and I've been fired from more than one job for challenging that one. Maybe nobody THOUGHT of it back then.

#39 03-29-2007, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Williams

I have a sneaky suspicion..they'll be in the points chase even without this one..

You are correct, with the new points structure Robert and John will be in the chase. John will have a tougher time since he doesn't have a round win, but I am sure John will come back to his mid 90's form. Like Jerrod said, when others have passed the show went on as planned with points. In my opinion, changing prior precedent will show disrespect to our past fallen heroes. Anyway, please don't forget to keep Eric's family in your thoughts and prayers.

#40 03-29-2007, 07:58 AM

I'm not sure that there is a right answer here. I easily see both sides of this and am fine with either outcome. The championship is fake this year anyway so points really don't matter.

I am concerned though because I would imagine drivers/owners will feel pressured into going along with no points just so that they don't look like bad guys.

Personally I think the race should go on with the points. If its not disrespectful to race then its also ok to earn points from it.

I'm sure the teams and nhra will do something to honor Eric, I was just a kid but I remember when Lee Shepard(sp) died all the cars put a black line through their numbers and had the missing man formation during pre race parades.

#41 03-29-2007, 08:02 AM

If you were a past fallen hero, and people saw a way to improve things (think it's called "progress"), would you want them to refrain from it in your memory? I somehow don't think so. Refraining from progress in your memory seems more disrespectful of you, to me.

Something like this shouldn't come from NHRA whenever someone passes. If it came from the majority of teams, then I think NHRA should do it. I know I would take it as a helluva gesture from the teams.

#42 03-29-2007, 08:12 AM

Likewise, I'm ok with it either way...

However, I don't think doing it would in any way disrespect Blaine Johnson or Darrell Russell. As has been said, this would be more of a show of compassion for JFR rather than an Eric Medlin tribute. Thats the difference in this situation, the fact that 3 other funny car teams will be sitting out to gather themselves, which I have the utmost respect for. With no points gathered, no one would gain ground on those teams.

Different principle in my opinion, but again I respect & understand both sides of the debate.

#43 03-29-2007, 08:45 AM

I respectfully disagree with this honorable gesture....

What if driver "A", of team "X", loses his wife in an auto accident the Thursday before Vegas. Driver "A" pulls out and goes home. Drivers "B" and "C" also leave because "A" is like a brother to them. Now what? Nobody collects points again? A nice idea, but NHRA can't put themselves in that position everytime a driver/team has a personal crisis. As cold as it may be, the show goes on.

Does NOT collecting points make any FC driver safer THIS weekend?

#44 03-29-2007, 08:49 AM

Though its an honorable thing to do and I dont think in any way it disrespects Blaine and Darrell, I dont think its a good idea. With the way the pts system is now anyways I dont think it would matter. It hurts John more than anyone since he hasnt won a round yet but I bet he gets in the top 8 by Indy and no doubt Robert will be there. Let the guys race and get points I say. I understand everyone is racing with heavy hearts and all but I am just under "the show must go on" kinda deal. It definitely wont be the same without them there, but I will be there.

#45 03-29-2007, 08:58 AM

There are so many ways that the racing community can and will show their respect. I am torn on this points idea, although I certainly get the thought behind it. I think JFR is stepping back to regroup,analyize and make whatever modifications they see fit to their cars to make them safer. They decided to not attend this weekend's race knowing that points would be lost.....I am sure that the points were the least of the factors they considered when making this decision. I truely believe that John cares deeply for his teams and its members. And they are doing what they should do....What greater tribute to Eric can they do than take the time needed to heal and hopefully understand what happened so It won't happen again! I think Eric would want the racing to go on, and with the racing the points.....I think that JFR is making the classiest move they can make by not racing!

Plea To Nhra Funny Car Teams

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