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Houston, Texas - (April 23, 2008) - Defending JEGS Pro Mod Challenge world champion Josh Hernandez will not defend his event crown this weekend in Atlanta at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. Nor will earn any points in defense of his series crown, placing him at a severe disadvantage. Because of sponsor commitments and a last-minute change in event schedules, the Texas native will not even be on the property to compete.
Hernandez is a man with two cars - one is the NHRA ET record-holding '68 Camaro he races in the JEGS ProMod Challenge, the other a '57 Chevy Bel Air tricked out to compete in ADRL eighth-mile events. The NHRA car wears the livery of team owner Tommy Lipar while the ADRL car proudly bears the banner of the U.S. National Guard, and, while the team owner likes to see his car race in NHRA events, he especially likes to see the sponsored car compete at ADRL events. According to Hernandez, "it's contractual obligation."
"We had planned to be at the ADRL event in Tulsa this weekend to represent the Guard, and because the schedule conflicted with the JEGS Pro Mod event, we had to decline their invitation to race. It killed me, but, it was the right thing, and it's what I had to do. I had held out hope that there was a way to make things work out, but, at the time JEGS required confirmation of attendance, I couldn't commit," Hernandez said.
Because of excessive rain in the Tulsa area, it was officially announced on April 18 that the ADRL Shelor.com Spring Drags had been re-scheduled, thus freeing Hernandez to compete at the NHRA event April 24-27 -- or so he hoped.
"As soon as I got the word on Tulsa, I called to see about getting a spot for the event and was informed that they would try to get an additional space allowance from NHRA for the event so we could compete," he said. "I waited on pins and needles until I got a call back - and my heart sank when I heard the answer: no."
The JEGS Pro Mod Challenge is a “booked in show” exhibition class at select NHRA events, and the series has contractually always had limited entries at the events, varying from 20 to 24 depending on the location and available space and schedule time. When asked about adding an additional spot allowing Hernandez compete, NHRA officials cited the desire to avoid setting any precedent, and said no.
"I know I was asking for a favor, and I know that JEGS and NHRA are acting in the best interest of the future of the series. I'm not angry, because there's nothing to be angry about - nobody did anything wrong. More than anything, I'm just disappointed it didn't work out," Hernandez explained.
"Heck, I called almost everyone on the roster, trying to see if there would be any last-minute cancelations. I even offered a bounty - but had no takers, and, I can't say I blame them. We're all competitors, and we all want to win," he said.
"From here, we just move on, and get ready for St. Louis - which we are DEFINITELY confirmed for," Hernandez added.
Photo courtesy of Roger Richards.
Hernandez to sit out Atlanta
Houston, Texas - (April 23, 2008) - Defending JEGS Pro Mod Challenge world champion Josh Hernandez will not defend his event crown this weekend in Atlanta at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. Nor will earn any points in defense of his series crown, placing him at a severe disadvantage. Because of sponsor commitments and a last-minute change in event schedules, the Texas native will not even be on the property to compete.
Hernandez is a man with two cars - one is the NHRA ET record-holding '68 Camaro he races in the JEGS ProMod Challenge, the other a '57 Chevy Bel Air tricked out to compete in ADRL eighth-mile events. The NHRA car wears the livery of team owner Tommy Lipar while the ADRL car proudly bears the banner of the U.S. National Guard, and, while the team owner likes to see his car race in NHRA events, he especially likes to see the sponsored car compete at ADRL events. According to Hernandez, "it's contractual obligation."
"We had planned to be at the ADRL event in Tulsa this weekend to represent the Guard, and because the schedule conflicted with the JEGS Pro Mod event, we had to decline their invitation to race. It killed me, but, it was the right thing, and it's what I had to do. I had held out hope that there was a way to make things work out, but, at the time JEGS required confirmation of attendance, I couldn't commit," Hernandez said.
Because of excessive rain in the Tulsa area, it was officially announced on April 18 that the ADRL Shelor.com Spring Drags had been re-scheduled, thus freeing Hernandez to compete at the NHRA event April 24-27 -- or so he hoped.
"As soon as I got the word on Tulsa, I called to see about getting a spot for the event and was informed that they would try to get an additional space allowance from NHRA for the event so we could compete," he said. "I waited on pins and needles until I got a call back - and my heart sank when I heard the answer: no."
The JEGS Pro Mod Challenge is a “booked in show” exhibition class at select NHRA events, and the series has contractually always had limited entries at the events, varying from 20 to 24 depending on the location and available space and schedule time. When asked about adding an additional spot allowing Hernandez compete, NHRA officials cited the desire to avoid setting any precedent, and said no.
"I know I was asking for a favor, and I know that JEGS and NHRA are acting in the best interest of the future of the series. I'm not angry, because there's nothing to be angry about - nobody did anything wrong. More than anything, I'm just disappointed it didn't work out," Hernandez explained.
"Heck, I called almost everyone on the roster, trying to see if there would be any last-minute cancelations. I even offered a bounty - but had no takers, and, I can't say I blame them. We're all competitors, and we all want to win," he said.
"From here, we just move on, and get ready for St. Louis - which we are DEFINITELY confirmed for," Hernandez added.
Photo courtesy of Roger Richards.
