Donnie Bender & Todd Smith? (2 Viewers)

[Rajunz]

...........My conclusion is that the Copart deal could of been kept going, but it must require additional sponsorship to really make ends meet and with the lack of it, I can see why Kenny left now.............

From what Kenny said, the Copart deal was not enough to do it the way he wanted to do it. Also, that Brandon couldn't take the Copart deal to another team, because a big part of the Copart sponsorship included having Kenny Bernstein attached to it. As far as Donnie and Todd, they were able to win a few as a tuning duo when they had Spencer's reaction times.......

 

[Rat]

From what Kenny said, the Copart deal was not enough to do it the way he wanted to do it. Also, that Brandon couldn't take the Copart deal to another team, because a big part of the Copart sponsorship included having Kenny Bernstein attached to it. As far as Donnie and Todd, they were able to win a few as a tuning duo when they had Spencer's reaction times.......

That is true..Spencer had a real nice 09

 

[Buns]

Tony I agree with you and maybe they ran the car in a non magic way, when you think about it, they were the highest pointed independent team so maybe we are being to abrasive with the summary. Tony's point does make me think exactly what it is that have the top independent teams all stuck around a 3.81-3.85 and all the AJR/DSR empires stuck at 3.73-3.79. I just realized this, Brandon was the only independent top fuel team to run a 70 with a 78. I wonder are all the crew cheifs that gifted at DSR/AJR or is there like a master collaborative notes? That situation could mean 1 guy tunes but they all tune artificially.

It's the 'AJ Effect' that we've talked about on here before. AJ has been an integral part of DSR and Al-Anabi. His tuneup is insanely good (and the sky is blue) and it's hard to match his level of expertise. Obviously, DSR isn't running his tuneup now but I believe they are still benefiting from the time that he was there. They have a top-level crew at DSR that are very capable but there are certain baselines and formulas that Alan used and I would find it hard to believe if DSR isn't still using them.

There are only so many Peyton Manning's, Tom Brady's and Aaron Rodgers to go around..

 

[rocketman]

King Entertainment leaving drag racing is a big deal. Another chair pulled out of this game of musical chairs. Every year, another big team quits.

 

[funnycarguy]

I agree Rich,

No matter why Bernstein is retiring it is not good for the sport.

No two cars are perfectly alike. Engines are close because of the CNC machine but pipe is not always alike. Welders alone can change the car characteristics.

Sheer tune up volume allows those multi car teams to keep changing the dials... that worked..try a little more. How many owners do we have now in the top two classes. Getting smaller thats for sure.

I know everyone loves to jump in on the discussions. I think it is hard to comment if you haven't tuned one. Bernstein is a smart guy and he hired these two gentlemen. Dale Armstrong was just back as consultant but he said technology had really changed in the last few years. Some really smart tuners on the outside right now.

Just my opinion.....Snake, now Bernstein. Not good for the sport. Who is going to run these racing businesses going forward should be a huge concern. Not too many people like the Pedregon's who have put it all on the line to become an owner. Not like nascar where the money paid to drivers over time can give them the funding to jump into the business and ownership side.

What we don't know either is what ownerships sets as the business parameters.....ie. get the car to haul butt but don't blow it up ! I think Pro racing is a different deal when you have payroll and marketing impressions to deal with........ and 23 races with everyone trying to get to the top of the board.
Just my humble opinion

 

[mick]

if the multi-teams all folded on the same day, at the end of the season.....
with proper time, i think you would find the next winternational's fuel fields
filled with more new blood than you could imagine.
ps, pm, and alcohol owners would jump into the nitro ranks faster than
you would think, not to mention current nitro part timers would find a
way to race more.