Nitromater

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Danica runs over crew person

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You know sometimes even when I'm trying to get back to the pit after a pass....it's hard to get through the crowds. Folks don't notice me behind them....they are oblivious to the sound of my car.

I hear you. ;)

You would think that maybe, just maybe, a unmuffled large V8 would be loud enough... Hmmm...
 
That's what I'm thinking!

One another note......
You know sometimes even when I'm trying to get back to the pit after a pass....it's hard to get through the crowds. Folks don't notice me behind them....they are oblivious to the sound of my car. I always wish I had one of those horns like Jim Carey did in the Mask movie.........

....aaaaahhhhhhh-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-GA!

LOL - Maybe they would move then............:p

Kathy,
That horn came oem on the model T Ford.
Please dont ask how I knew that!;)
 
There is a story on AOL homepage today about the 'New Siren of the Sport', an article about female race drivers and who is taking the sport by storm. It isn't Danica. Not because of her abilities, or lack thereof, but because of attitude and approachability. Interesting, cause obviously Danica has pissed off some fans and media people as well. Ashley is nice to everyone and seems to be a little more humble and appreciative of the attention she is getting right now.
 
There is a story on AOL homepage today about the 'New Siren of the Sport', an article about female race drivers and who is taking the sport by storm. It isn't Danica. Not because of her abilities, or lack thereof, but because of attitude and approachability. Interesting, cause obviously Danica has pissed off some fans and media people as well. Ashley is nice to everyone and seems to be a little more humble and appreciative of the attention she is getting right now.
Lori,
Did you honestly expect any different from the mainstream news media?:mad:
 
My most embarrassing memory at Maple Grove comes from the first time I went there with my A/Fuel Funny Car. I was in the process of getting my license to drive, and we were starting the car. Unfortunately, the pedal stop was not set right, and I ended up running over my crew chief, Tim Richards. We were just attempting to start the car when the clutch jumped. I sent him to the hospital to get stitches in his chin. Lex Dudas was the track announcer at the time, and he said that this kid wouldn't make it. Believe me, I have reminded him of that many times since then, but that is how it all got started for me in Reading

Got this from.........On the Run with Joe Amato | National Dragster | Find Articles at BNET.com
 
As bad as this is, it happens alot. Didn't one of the Petty's even actually kill one of thier own family members?

Adam Petty ran over and killed his crew chief during a pit stop in Sept. 1998 in St. Paul, MN. Also, during a Chrysler boycott of NASCAR in 1965, Richard Petty competed in drag racing briefly; Richard's dragster went out of control and into the stands, killing an 8-year old boy in Dallas, GA. Both very tragic accidents....and YES, it does happen alot more than you think.
 
Jim Dunn was racing in Boise (Firebird Raceway) many years ago and went onto the return road w/ the engine running and 'blipped' the throttle and ran into a snack shop and killed a pregnant woman and a young boy and severed another mans legs above the knees....A very sad deal...
 
Jim Dunn was racing in Boise (Firebird Raceway) many years ago and went onto the return road w/ the engine running and 'blipped' the throttle and ran into a snack shop and killed a pregnant woman and a young boy and severed another mans legs above the knees....A very sad deal...

Very sad is a fact. A few years ago somebody was telling me something about this but it seemed like they didn't know what they were talking about. I was curious about it but I sure didn't want to ask anybody.

Dave
 
Garlits former CC Herb Parks was run over by I think Rocky Epperly in a dragster I think owned by King and Marshall.

In the late 80's, I think?

A great loss for drag racing.

-90% Jimmy
 
I've been involved in sprint and midget racing for a looong time. When in the pits it is up to you to keep your head out of your @$$. This definitely wasn't Danica's fault.
 
That's what I'm thinking!

One another note......
You know sometimes even when I'm trying to get back to the pit after a pass....it's hard to get through the crowds. Folks don't notice me behind them....they are oblivious to the sound of my car. I always wish I had one of those horns like Jim Carey did in the Mask movie.........

....aaaaahhhhhhh-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-GA!

LOL - Maybe they would move then............:p

Kathy, you have to remember the crowd and Pit noise can be very distracting. And in a crowd unless you bat the throttle a time or two, most people won't hear you if your just idling.
 
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Lori.
After reading the story on AOL I realize I was way off base on my reply to you, for this I apologize.
Happy mothers day!!! ;)

That's okay. I thought the article had some great kudos for drag racing as a whole, especially Ashley, and that doesn't happen often.
And Thank you. My first Mother's Day since my Mom died and it has been a tough one.
Have a good day.
Lori
 
The consenus at the track is that this was a very experienced person who should have known better than to be standing in that position. We were visiting at the home in Brownsburg of a former crew chief's (Larry Burton) sister at 4:00 est when the word came through that he had been released from the hospital.
 
I was standing by the fence at Irwindale back in the late 70's when a FC did his dry hop in reverse and pitched a crew member about 10ft. They took the poor guy away in an ambulance, I heard later he died but don't know that for sure. Age prevents me from remembering who's car it was.

I always think of that when I see a crew guy behind the cars. I guess that is one good thing about not doing dry hops anymore. But I still miss them.
 
I don't know what the 'rules' state, but after seeing the video, this guy shouldn't have been where he was. At the very least, he should have had on a helmet. I would assume there are rules about people that are very close to the action. To be honest, I can't believe there aren't more accidents at NHRA events. The entire crew stands right on the line, not far behind the car, and a lot could happen when you are that close. Either way, I am glad this guy is going to be OK and hope that other people learn from this. Not her fault, and it was obvious in her interview she was upset.
 
Anybody remember at Pomona back in the 70's when Billy Meyer's FC while iding came off the Jackstand and took off out of his pit?? I heard he plowed into a tow vehicle nearly hitting a couple of people.

I asked him about that at Indy one year, he told me he was wearing cowboy boots of all things! And whackin the throttle his boot got caught between the framerail and the bell housing, hanging up the throttle. If that ever happened today you can bet the Pits would be closed overnight!:rolleyes:
 
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