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Courtney coverage
- Thread starter fatcat
- Start date
SundayNiagara
Nitro Member
NHRA has a Courtney teleconference scheduled for today.
Honestly I don't see a need for it. In our sport, we are equal, doesn't matter what sex, age, color, anything. Strap in and go. We've seen this 99 times before (and that doesn't count sportsman). I get that it is important in the moment and that it is a milestone number but is it really? Isn't this just something for the media to write a story about. Will 150 be a big deal or 200?
I've heard many of the ladies over the years say that they want to be considered racers, not females racers. And yet they get
dragged backwards to point this out as it approached.
Even in Angelle's interview a few weeks ago she mentioned that being the all-time female winner wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to be the all-time winner on bikes period (I think she is 5 short).
I'm torn between if this is marking a moment or dragging backwards to point out a difference. If equality is the goal then pointing out events like this goes against that, doesn't it?
All I know is that I saw a good funny car driver win a race on Sunday.
I've heard many of the ladies over the years say that they want to be considered racers, not females racers. And yet they get
dragged backwards to point this out as it approached.
Even in Angelle's interview a few weeks ago she mentioned that being the all-time female winner wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to be the all-time winner on bikes period (I think she is 5 short).
I'm torn between if this is marking a moment or dragging backwards to point out a difference. If equality is the goal then pointing out events like this goes against that, doesn't it?
All I know is that I saw a good funny car driver win a race on Sunday.
paoldtimer
Nitro Member
Come on, Harry! Such a Neanderthal comment! If you don't care for Danica, that's fine, but no reason to name call. Sheesh!
Raconteur
Nitro Member
Honestly, this is a one-time, weekend story. Drag racing has been open and available to women long before the attempt to use 100 Victories as a publicity stunt. We as fans and lovers of drag racing know the long history of women in drag racing and the lack of a glass ceiling since Shirley Shahan and Shirley Muldowney smashed it.
If the media truly looks at the 100th Victory by women, they probably also remember Angelle Sampey, Karen Stoffer, Melanie Troxel, Peggy Llewellyn, Lori Johns, Erica Enders, Leah Pritchett, Ashley Force, Alexis DeJoria, Shelly Payne, Rhonda Hartman, Lucille Lee, Cristen Powell, Hillary Will.
No matter how this PR event is spun, it's not a story, it's a landmark like First in the 4's or First to 300mph. Congratulations on your win Courtney, you are another winning racer, just like all the other women before you.
It's simply not a big story to the sports media.
If the media truly looks at the 100th Victory by women, they probably also remember Angelle Sampey, Karen Stoffer, Melanie Troxel, Peggy Llewellyn, Lori Johns, Erica Enders, Leah Pritchett, Ashley Force, Alexis DeJoria, Shelly Payne, Rhonda Hartman, Lucille Lee, Cristen Powell, Hillary Will.
No matter how this PR event is spun, it's not a story, it's a landmark like First in the 4's or First to 300mph. Congratulations on your win Courtney, you are another winning racer, just like all the other women before you.
It's simply not a big story to the sports media.
Really? Stay classy Harry.
RebilasPhoto
Nitro Member
The worst day the 100th could have happened was on the same day as the Indianapolis 500 and the Coke 600. It was destined to get screwed out of mainstream coverage.
yoda
Nitro Member
Not true, Mark.... For all the fluff reports that filled sports news that day (including Ms. Patrick's non-crash), 45 seconds could have been slotted in with the other racing news to mention the "milestone".
WE know the ratio of how well women have done in drag racing verses other Motorsports, but instead of the overwhelming PR push to US, I wish NHRA would have spent that energy selling it to the media markets- it's preaching to the choir here.
WE know the ratio of how well women have done in drag racing verses other Motorsports, but instead of the overwhelming PR push to US, I wish NHRA would have spent that energy selling it to the media markets- it's preaching to the choir here.
and Media Markets don't care and just care about labeling Drag Racing as the "Death Motorsport" because of the idiots that Street Race.
Rajunz
Nitro Member
I was watching the NASCAR race on Sunday before the NHRA came on and they were reporting on the Indy 500. I thought to myself, they can't even mention the NHRA yet because of the time delay. For such an important race weekend, NHRA should run Saturday night with live finals.
NHRA NEVER runs against Indy/Coca Cola 600, usually this is their week off (thus Lewis goes to Maple Grove to do the Points Race)
Joker
Nitro Member
I think its a combination of whats been mentioned. The Indy 500 and the Coke 600 the same day, and also while NHRA shoved it down our throat all year this year, I don't think anyone except for the couple of women driving cares. That's just my opinion. Its not like a first, or first championship, etc. Its nothing new, woman win in NHRA.
SoCal Racer
Nitro Member
Have to agree. It's more than a non-story, but a small story nonetheless - we've seen women racing and winning in drag racing forever. Courtney was in the right place at the right time - nothing more. Darr mentioned many winning women, and being an oldtimer I also remember Paula Murphy and Della Woods driving nitro funny cars back in its fledgling days when it was arguably more dangerous and took more guts than today. Bunny Burkett comes to mind as well with her IHRA TA/FC successes, preceded by racing doorslammers and Pro Stocks. Female winners? Just another day at the drags.
Oh, and can someone make sure Dave Rieff gets decaf next time? I thought his head was going to explode every time a woman was on the line.
Huge
Nitro Member
As far as Courtney getting a lot of coverage...it's hard to trump the news of Kurt Busch going after the double and grabbing a 6th place finish in his first ever Indy 500. But, that doesn't take away from the fact that she did an outstanding job, and she should feel very proud of her great accomplisment of doing something that four other girls couldn't do this past weekend in Topeka. My hats off to Courtney and her whole team.
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