All of this makes me wonder what Lee Beard's career would've looked like had the Good Lord not taken Gary Ormsby from us all way too soon... That team had the potential of being Top Fuel's version of John Force & Austin Coil in the 90's - and they shared the same sponsor. Sadly, we'll never know.
I'm sure Lee will land on his feet somewhere & I am thankful for his politically incorrect statement from the heart - I, like many of you, grow tired of the cliche's and gift wrapped standard answers to questions like the one he was asked. Cruz is a big boy, he can handle it.
Lastly, if memory serves me correctly, - and I'm sure one of you will point it out if I'm mistaken - Cruz owes at least some credit to Lee for his first World Championship while driving the McDonald's Flopper. I believe Lee was wrenching on the McDonald's Digger and offered tune-up advice on Cruzer's car right before he went on a five race tear to rip the title away from Force.