Danny Degennaro fired by John Force (1 Viewer)

[NYBill]

Despite personal assurances by John Force that his position at JFR was secure, John Force fired his assistant crew chief, Danny Degennaro earlier this week. The 16 time NHRA Funny Car Champion, (courtesy of Prock and Degennaro) cited the poor financial climate at JFR as the reason for the dismissal.

 

[sdwarf36]

Wow-Austin Coil is completly written out of history books already....

 

[Paul]

Not sure if it is really "financial reasons", but that teams performance has really fallen off since the start of the year. They might sit 2nd in points, but what was a dominate car is now mediocre and inconsistent and only 5 rounds out of 10th. Where are those people who praised JFR for never firing anyone?

 

[Huge]

Not much here to really talk about until someone comes out with the inside scoop. I'm, sure not going to form any opinions off of what i read on a chat forum. There's enough of that going on here already on a daily basis.

 

[.]

(courtesy of Prock and Degennaro)

And Coil and Fedderly

 

[Nick Name]

I would assume that all the "news sources" would need John's permission to mention something like this.

 

[Jimbo]

Drag racing is going through some major changes right now with the economy, spectators, sponsorship, participants, and also I still think part of the problem is people interests are just changing from what they were just five to ten years ago.

When I grew up in the 50's and 60's every kid wanted to build either a hot rod or a drag racing car. I could ride around my neighborhood and look in the open garage doors at car being built and after riding by the guys open garage door for about the 10th time he would come out and say do you want to see the car!!

I would jump off the bike and go in and for a kid I knew right then and there what I wanted to do. Not sure it quite like that any more in many parts of the country.

Just look at how many top drivers in drag racing find themselves sitting on the side lines because they cannot find a ride or bring a major sponsor with them.

A few months ago in Hot Rod Magazine John Force talked about going back to match racing to help generate revenue for his business. Does this kind of tell you what's going on right now in professional drag racing?

I for one always loved the match racing day's and I could not wait for Sunday's to arrive and as a 13 year old I would beg one of the older guys to let me ride with him to the drag strip.

No wants wants to go racing using their own check book but without major sponsorship for many there is no other way of racing.

I think over the next few years either it's going to get better or much worse then it is today. Only time will tell and I believe the power full people in drag racing are racking their brains trying to figure out what to do to change what they see happening right in front of their eyes.

I for one truly hope the changes coming will be positive for drag racing.

Just my opinion. Jim Hill

http://www.nostalgicracingdecals.com

 

[Huge]

Despite personal assurances by John Force that his position at JFR was secure, John Force fired his assistant crew chief, Danny Degennaro earlier this week. The 16 time NHRA Funny Car Champion, (courtesy of Prock and Degennaro) cited the poor financial climate at JFR as the reason for the dismissal.

I'm a little curious as to where this info came from. Only because there was a different reason given on comp plus in Bobby Bennetts national notebook.

 

[Rajunz]

That should read "16th Championship courtesy of Prock & Degennaro."

 

[Nunz]

So Lance, should everyone's championships since the beginning read "courtesy of so and so"? I mean, just about every win in racing is a team effort.

 

[HEMI6point1]

After Epping 1st round it's clear that JFR needs to fire Todd Smith as well. Seems like a typical Todd Smith car: great qualifier then tire haze 1st round.

 

[Paul]

After Epping 1st round it's clear that JFR needs to fire Todd Smith as well. Seems like a typical Todd Smith car: great qualifier then tire haze 1st round.

The same Todd Smith that was the crew chief for the 2012 FC champion? Sometimes you can be so ignorant, well maybe not just sometimes, all the time.

 

[Paul]

I'm a little curious as to where this info came from. Only because there was a different reason given on comp plus in Bobby Bennetts national notebook.

I am willing to bet it's somewhere in between the 2 reports. Bobby's article basically says nothing happened and John just fired him because he wanted change. You just don't get fired for doing nothing wrong.

 

[HEMI6point1]

So Smith had one good year with Fast Jack. Seems like you just don't like someone calling it as he sees it!

 

[Huge]

I am willing to bet it's somewhere in between the 2 reports. Bobby's article basically says nothing happened and John just fired him because he wanted change. You just don't get fired for doing nothing wrong.

Usually, that is the polite way of saying that said person is not adding anything to... or, working out for their program. I guess we will know for sure if we see someone else added to the team.

 

[Bob K.]

John Force is doing better today! Maybe the change was due to internal strife?

 

[yoda]

I wonder if they'll be more hurt feelings over here than there will be between Degennaro and JF?

 

[mick]

you see some folks let go on these teams for unknown reasons; i'd bet a certain % have nothing to do with job performance;
social situations IMO contribute greatly.....not all the time, but some of the time for sure.

 

[Bullard Anderson]

What if they were the earliest team in history to go into testing mode in prep for the Countdown.

 

[Huge]

What if they were the earliest team in history to go into testing mode in prep for the Countdown.

Teams have been doing that since the start of the season.