Anna Lisa Smith Racing into a Top Fuel Career

[Nick Name]

An interesting slant on this. Larry "Spiderman" McBride told me his first pass ever down a dragstrip on a motorcycle, was on a top fuel bike. At the time he told me that, he stated he had never been down the track on a streetbike of any kind.

Jay

 

[Jenn]

There's only one way to get experience and that's to get down the track in as many conditions as you can.

The bud Prince spent a year or two in TAD, did he not? And he still let the car get away from him pedaling?

Ashley Force had a couple years of S/C and TAD under her belt, and she messed up too, but she took her licks and she learned from it.

I remember when I started driving the truck and trailer, and my Dad told me "When you come up to a big rig, it'll suck you in and spit you out" and I prepared for it when I first came along side a Semi, but it didn't pull me in. So I relaxed just a little bit, and a semi came up along side me, sucked me in, spit me out, and let me wide awake and white knuckled. But it was something that no matter how much he prepped me, I still had to learn myself.

Baptism by fire has it's merits.

 

[kd]

You know, Dave, I find it hard to feel any resentment over this. On the one hand, it's just great to have new people entering the sport. With all the people talking about folding up the tent, it's nice to see someone going the other way.

As to getting sponsors, that is probably far less about her having money that it is about her Dad's access to the right people. And I don't mean sponsors, I mean agents. Simply having the people representing her that she does puts her head and shoulders above so many in the sport.

With the sport so much of a business now, simply being talented and really wanting it isn't enough. You need the whole package -- talent, skill, charisma, business savvy, patience, perspective, smarts, relentless drive... It's tough to find/build/assemble that package.

...YOU nailed it...! THAT is the nuts of it...She is well connected and represented...AND being Burtons daughter in a primier class WILL garner tons of ink...

 

[.]

An interesting slant on this. Larry "Spiderman" McBride told me his first pass ever down a dragstrip on a motorcycle, was on a top fuel bike. At the time he told me that, he stated he had never been down the track on a streetbike of any kind.

Jay

Wow, the man has bigger cajones than I ever imagined!

 

[kd]

I just saw this post, and I think it's very well written and says a lot. RG I hope it's okay that I've shared this on Mater:


Personal story segment many can relate to:

I have sacrificed a lot to have the modest operation I have. It is a product of 35 years of doing without vacations, beach homes, and even kids or a normal life because I chose racing over having a family (except for marrying my wife). That is a decision I will regret for the rest of my life.

When I switched to racing TA/FC almost 20 years ago, in order to stay out there I left the seat in 1997 because I didn't have the rescources to race at the level I wanted to, so the seat went to the highest bidder except when TORCO sponsored me. That's when I looked for the best driver I could find and Larry Miner, who brought no money, was my guy. Have I raced at all costs? Unfortunately yes. Good decision? Probably not.

Lou Gasparrelli told me a long time ago that he would see people show up out of no where with an operation to die for only to see them come and go while the hard core guys like us are somehow always out there. These people show up, find out the Wally's aren't for sale, get bored and leave. These flash in the pan racers find out their money can't buy them talent and ability when it comes to driving and winning in a race car, so it's off to the next thing they saw on TV or read about in a magazine that sounds like fun.

It doesn't bother me to see someone spending Daddy's money to go racing. More power to them. But I think I appreciate what I have a lot more than most of those who've had it handed to them because of the commitment, sacrifice, planning, budgeting, overtime, and the risks I took for me to get there in the first place.
__________________

Nancy...(great blogs at rob's!!!) ...BUT....just maybe this young lady has the same luv of the sport as you...she has been a competitor her whole life with the horses, found drag racing, and has the ability to play...silver spoon-sure...make a stir...by her own doings it seems!...we all have are wishes...some have the ability to make them come true...lucky *******s!!!

 

[rocketman]

Some of you are short sided, If she succeeds then it's likely the Bruton Smith organization will do even more for drag racing, and right now they are doing plenty for the sport. They are bringing the sport to the next level with better tracks.

If she gets a big sponsor by what ever connection necessary then good for her. There is an alcohol racer that has Patrone. Well her dad owns Patrone, so good for her. Is anyone's sponsor hopes limited if someone gets a sponsor? Hell no it's good for everyone! There are thousands of businesses out there that are not sponsoring anyone right now. So go get'em and stop worrying about the other guy.

Everyone seems to think there is a pool of only 100 business out there that will sponsor a car. Think out of the box and go to someone outside that pool of 100. Your chances will be better than being a retread anyway.

 

[kd]

Some of you are short sided, If she succeeds then it's likely the Bruton Smith organization will do even more for drag racing, and right now they are doing plenty for the sport. They are bringing the sport to the next level with better tracks.

If she gets a big sponsor by what ever connection necessary then good for her. There is an alcohol racer that has Patrone. Well her dad owns Patrone, so good for her. Is anyone's sponsor hopes limited if someone gets a sponsor? Hell no it's good for everyone! There are thousands of businesses out there that are not sponsoring anyone right now. So go get'em and stop worrying about the other guy.

Everyone seems to think there is a pool of only 100 business out there that will sponsor a car. Think out of the box and go to someone outside that pool of 100. Your chances will be better than being a retread anyway.

Ditto!!!...awesome website by the way,Rich...!!!)

...THIS is one person who can single-handed take the sport to the next level...What IF...Pappy bought his Princess (giggles!) a sanctioning body...

...I've noticed alot of comments on seat time on here...do some of you read the articles we comment on ....or just comment on them...???:...

...Last I heard she has a "deal"...with the local track...........

 

[Nitrohaulic]

Some of you are short sided, If she succeeds then it's likely the Bruton Smith organization will do even more for drag racing, and right now they are doing plenty for the sport. They are bringing the sport to the next level with better tracks.

If she gets a big sponsor by what ever connection necessary then good for her. There is an alcohol racer that has Patrone. Well her dad owns Patrone, so good for her. Is anyone's sponsor hopes limited if someone gets a sponsor? Hell no it's good for everyone! There are thousands of businesses out there that are not sponsoring anyone right now. So go get'em and stop worrying about the other guy.

Everyone seems to think there is a pool of only 100 business out there that will sponsor a car. Think out of the box and go to someone outside that pool of 100. Your chances will be better than being a retread anyway.

I agree. Her involvement will get the sport exposure in corporate circles that might not presently think about drag racing as being viable for marketing.

If it doesn't work for her and she's not a longtime driver, it won't surprise anyone. If she does genuinely fall in love with it and sticks it out for many years because of it, it'll be pretty cool.

 

[Mooseman]

Why do people make a big deal out of women racing , sure its great to see them out there doing it and I wish there were more but they make it out like its some new phenomenon when it isn't new at all . I am just saying this because everytime theres a new women racer you here people saying "Its rare to see a women racer" or something to that accord and I keep thinking what do you mean theres other women racers .

 

[none]

I don't think it has anything to do with being a boy or girl. The problem here is it's another person that thinks driving a Drag Race car is pretty easy. As far as being a rich kid, everybody complains about it, it's called jealousy. I'm just as guilty as the next guy. I've heard Don Prudhomme b*tch about Billy Meyer years ago. There is a difference between working and earning your way rather than just having it handed to you. Look at John Force. Like him or not, he worked his heart out to get where he is today. I think that's what's got people going in this case.

Dave

John did but what about Ashley?? Doh!

 

[FC Girl]

Nancy...(great blogs at rob's!!!) ...BUT....just maybe this young lady has the same luv of the sport as you...she has been a competitor her whole life with the horses, found drag racing, and has the ability to play...silver spoon-sure...make a stir...by her own doings it seems!...we all have are wishes...some have the ability to make them come true...lucky *******s!!!

Thanks Kevin, very much, I really appreciate your compliment.

Now, as for your But......Maybe, just Maybe, I've been involved in drag racing since just a couple of decades longer and didn't happen to obliviously fall upon it one day in my mid 20's, a year after my wealthy father built a georgous race track, after he already owned a few other prime locations and decided, wow, I should have had a V-8. Or in this case, Wow, I should drive a Nitro Car and announce it before I'd ever gone down the track. To me, the pre-announcment was her only mistake.

For anyone who really knows me, I work extremely hard and am very dedicated to get my car to the track and run. I could care a less that (and this is no offense to anyone, I'm just using some names) Schumacher has 4 Fuel Teams with resources, or Force or Connie or KB, GOOD FOR THEM!!! They are True Racers and have been through the trenches. It gives me inspiration to know that I can do the same thing, I just have to reach out and think further outside the box (like they did) to obtain the same success. I don't stick my nose up a wealthy persons butt (sorry again no offense to anyone) just to try and get money from them or a ride. To me, the relationships are worth their weight in gold, the resources will then follow when they are supposed to.

I've been Extremely Blessed and Fortunate enough to purchase and field my own ride. If you do the math on how many female racers there are in the faster classes, there aren't very many of us that bought our own operations on our own hard earned money. I know who they are, and I'll refrain from names, because think about it, there are less than a handful of us. And there are even more guys out there the same way.

There are many things that being a True Racer involves. I don't care what she does or how she does it, she will never be able to experience drag racing or love it the same way that I have and that I do (many of us for that matter). Does she have the means to go buy a lear jet? Of course, probably has one, I could care a less. She'll never have the true satisfaction of doing this on her own as a person and a racer. (go ahead everyone, have a field day with me saying this, you think she's gonna help take apart the motors, clean the crapper, load the car, buy the supplies and actually cook the food for the crew? Be Honest before you respond)

Could you see her on the road having to sleep with her car In the Trailer (no plush lounge) in a salvage yard while her truck that broke down 30 miles from the nearest town was in a repair shop and the only place big enough for the trailer is a salvage yard? I don't think so. Oh the stories a True racer has and can tell go on and on telling that are hysterical when looking back on it. Or putting a fire out in the tow truck attached to a trailer with everything you've worked for that is full of alcohol and oil, with a duck down pillow and then when the truck is fixed having feathers fly Everywhere looking like the ultimate goof balls on the side of the road, and then be able to tell the story and laugh? I don't think so. These are the true stories and Love of Drag Racing, not whose going to get the best opportunity handed to them this week.

 

[FuelFC]

Nice post Nancy. And it will come to you and be well deserved. you have made the long pull to get there that is for sure. Welcome to the neighborhood by the way. Remember it took Mel a while too.

Yes Anna is fortunate (hopefully she survives Mr. Warmth's training and gentle coaxing . God Speed to her on that) Was Hawley or Beckman busy? LOL. But I cannot hold it against her. From all accounts out east she seems to be a very nice and well grounded/rounded person who is not in this for just doing it cause it looks cool.

And oh yeah those girls can't drive...(tongue/cheek) there once was a girl named Kim oh something or other...LaHaie I think or something like that hopped in a t/f car did pretty well.

Have worked with both genders in fuel cars as drivers and crew people. Some get it and some don't. Some have it and some don't. Male or female. I'll give you this much on women drivers you can (most of the time) get through to the woman and keep them on the respect side of the car. And if you can find a woman fuel wrench do whatever it take to keep em. Details freaks generally and find all of the little things that cost you runs or parts.

Rich or poor daddy I am damn glad to see another car come out period. Too many have been parked in the last 5 years.

And oh yeah she is even fairly good looking...cough ahem cough. I'm just saying. Not that I noticed or nothing. I'd like that for Christmas Santa! oops that wasn't out loud was it?

 

[FC Girl]

thanks Jim, it's a little wordy, but I too wish her the best. She has a lot to learn to have a true love for racing (which was what my point was). Loving something and having a new found passion is like a new relationship before marriage, and we all know what can happen after a while in a marriage

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

I agree. Her involvement will get the sport exposure in corporate circles that might not presently think about drag racing as being viable for marketing.

If it doesn't work for her and she's not a longtime driver, it won't surprise anyone. If she does genuinely fall in love with it and sticks it out for many years because of it, it'll be pretty cool.

Right on Ron, well said. Seems like a lot of sour grapes around here.
I wish her well. With all the cars being parked lately I welcome a new car in any class. "09 looks like it may be a very lean year for our sport.

Lets give the girl a chance before we judge.

 

[FuelFC]

thanks Jim, it's a little wordy, but I too wish her the best. She has a lot to learn to have a true love for racing (which was what my point was). Loving something and having a new found passion is like a new relationship before marriage, and we all know what can happen after a while in a marriage

Hey no fair on the marriage shots! Nice real nice. That just cost you lunch for the PM I sent you. It was free before I saw this!

 

[Toejam]

Joe, could you expand on how being a crew member teaches you to drive, I just read the article and it looks to me that she will make several pulls in a T/F car before her first race

Mark if a crewmen with 5-6 years experience working on these cars told you he wanted to drive, would you trust him or some person who showed up with a bundle of Cash?? I think working on these cars is an incredible advantage to be honest! You know first hand how the Fuel system works, what happens when you stay on the throttle to long, you learn what the drivers listen for, etc... You basically have 5-6 years of apprenticeship sort a speak.

Now I will give this gal credit in that she's willing to put in several laps with Roy Hill's school, most new drivers don't have the $$$ to do that.

 

[FC Girl]

Hey no fair on the marriage shots! Nice real nice. That just cost you lunch for the PM I sent you. It was free before I saw this!

Go check your PM's. LOL!!!!!!!

 

[texasprostocklover]

I wish her the best of luck, as well, but, Roy Hill? Creepy.

 

[Toejam]

Anybody remember that article with Gary Scelzi? He addresses this very subject!

 

[TJ]

Joe...I understand what you are saying but I would put the person w/ the most dollars in my car over a dedicated crewmember as the person with the money can fix what they tear up....sweat equity only goes sooo far.