Larry Dixon

[dave]

Wow you gotta feel for Larry when they run over to you and stick a mic in your face basically telling you that you messed up not pedaling the car. I love drag racing, but the stuff they pull on Espn like that, and constantly bringing up John Forces accident just rub me wrong. Just my opinion, and I may be way off at that.

 

[Dubs]

What an awful, awful way to start the season. I can only imagine how pissed Larry was when that door closed. And how did he not know there was not another qualifying session??

 

[nwspeedshots]

Why did he claim, in the top-end interview, that he had aborted the run, when the subsequent story (including his) is that the ignition failed? He had to know the difference between mashing the pedal with no result, and not getting back into it at all...

--M--

 

[dave]

Why did he claim, in the top-end interview, that he had aborted the run, when the subsequent story (including his) is that the ignition failed?

--M--

I don't know, but I do know you never saw the butterlflys on the injector come back open. Like I said its just an observation. I feel bad for Larry, he is a nice guy.

 

[nwspeedshots]

Exactly. If the ignition had failed, you'd have seen the butterflies open as he got back on the throttle, though it would have had no effect.

Don't get me wrong, I feel way bad for them, too. I'm just saying that the two stories contradict each other. --M--

 

[scsp390]

I don't know, but I do know you never saw the butterlflys on the injector come back open. Like I said its just an observation. I feel bad for Larry, he is a nice guy.

Yes, you are right. Something just didn't seem right at all with that run. But, I do give props to Tony Shoe for stating that he went directly to Tom Compton on Friday and got it straight from the "Horses Mouth" saying that "If there is at least one complete qualifying session on Saturday-The field is set!" I also agree on the ESPN part. They need to take into consideration that theses racers are human beings just like you and I. Sticking a Mic in Dixons face was WRONG!!!! I said it before and I will say it again... It's going to be a very INTERESTING year in NHRA drag racing!!!!

 

[Gipraw]

Why did he claim, in the top-end interview, that he had aborted the run, when the subsequent story (including his) is that the ignition failed? He had to know the difference between mashing the pedal with no result, and not getting back into it at all...

--M--

I am pretty sure that the subsequent story is Alan Johnson trying to help his driver save face, and not throwing him under the bus.


You could tell from the way Larry acted when talking to Gary that he knew he had just brain farted.

I am fine with Gary asking Larry that question if he walks over to the interview area... but when he is obviously trying to avoid being talked to (which I have no problem with), I think it is pretty damn crappy to go chase him down and then stick a microphone in his face.

 

[scsp390]

i am pretty sure that the subsequent story is alan johnson trying to help his driver save face, and not throwing him under the bus.


You could tell from the way larry acted when talking to gary that he knew he had just brain farted.

I am fine with gary asking larry that question if he walks over to the interview area... But when he is obviously trying to avoid being talked to (which i have no problem with), i think it is pretty damn crappy to go chase him down and then stick a microphone in his face.

Amen Brother!!!!!!

 

[Tom]

I wonder what the fine and related suspension would be if Larry or someone else just hauled off and donkey punched Gary Gerould in answer to one of his stupid questions at a time you're really trying to avoid being talked to?

It'd serve him right and I'd contribute a few bucks to that racers fine.

 

[scsp390]

I wonder what the fine and related suspension would be if Larry or someone else just hauled off and donkey punched Gary Gerould in answer to one of his stupid questions at a time you're really trying to avoid being talked to?

It'd serve him right and I'd contribute a few bucks to that racers fine.

Ya know, I realize that these guys and gals are Professional Race Car Drivers. But they are NOT movie Stars!!! Gary Gerould is worse than the Paparazzi!!! NO-I AM BEING SERIOUS!!!! What an ASS HOLE!!!! There I said it!!! It's the middle of the night-I have already been to Mass (on Saturday) I really don't want to wind up in Reconciliation any time soon. That is all I have to say!!!

 

[Tom]

You are absolutely right Kevin, that clown Gerould needs to be schooled on racer ettiquette. But then again, we are talking about ESPN. With the LOUSY coverage they provide for the money, we'd be better off having PBS air the races.

 

[T.Smith]

Man, you guys are a bunch of bed wetters.

Heaven forbid if someone asks a race car driver a tough question or asks for a thought after a tough situation....."racer ettiquette", give me a damn break.

...and Gary Gerould is the ultimate professional at what he does for a living.

 

[.]

Hold on a second, before anyone calls BS on the coil wire story, lets think about this for a second. These cars have dual ignition systems, right? Is it possible that ONE of the coil wires failed causing the engine to be down on power..... which caused the tire shake..... resulting in an aborted run? Sure, Larry didn't get back on the throttle after the shake but that doesn't mean the story is BS. They never specifically said the coil wire killed the engine, they just said that was the problem. I took it as..... that's what caused the shake in the first place.

Just my 0.02$

 

[haagar]

Now I am not a huge fan of these interviews all the time, but how was Gerry Gerould supposed to know that Dixon hadn't been told there was only one run of qualifying and that there was possible nothing wrong with the car? They often interview the drivers at the trucks depending on the timing of the interviews of the other drivers. And, he asked in a calm mellow voice "Did something break on the car? Can you tell us what happened?". How is that question out of line?

It also isn't 100% Dixon's fault if no one told him they had declared it would be one round. Whether or not he should have gotten back in the throttle if there wasn't a problem with the car on the chance there would be another round is another debate.

 

[preacher]

Almosted everybody pedaled knowing they might only have one chance to get in the show... Dixon didn't... all of us drivers have screwed up a run a time or two... you have to feel for the guy but thats racing, no matter how much money and talent you have in life you can still wind up looking like a idiot!

 

[turbo ken]

You could tell from the way Larry acted when talking to Gary that he knew he had just brain farted.

I am fine with Gary asking Larry that question if he walks over to the interview area... but when he is obviously trying to avoid being talked to (which I have no problem with), I think it is pretty damn crappy to go chase him down and then stick a microphone in his face.

That's what I call one of those "let's kick him when he's (or she's) down interveiws".

 

[mikey]

I wonder what the fine and related suspension would be if Larry or someone else just hauled off and donkey punched Gary Gerould in answer to one of his stupid questions at a time you're really trying to avoid being talked to?

It'd serve him right and I'd contribute a few bucks to that racers fine.

I'll pay the entire fine for the driver that judo-chops Paul Page ! ( Oooops....did I just type that out loud ? )

 

[Fuel FC Fan]

I thought Larry did a great job of refraining from slamming his helmet on the ground after climbing out. Real Hard call to make in the heat of the moment, but one of those rare times when it's late in the day, dark clouds hanging over the track and there could be just the one chance of getting in the show.

What do you do.

 

[dave]

Man, you guys are a bunch of bed wetters.

Heaven forbid if someone asks a race car driver a tough question or asks for a thought after a tough situation....."racer ettiquette", give me a damn break.

...and Gary Gerould is the ultimate professional at what he does for a living.

I agree Tony that tough questions are going to come up, and that they are going to be asked. I guess I just get a little tired of all the time Espn spends talking about drama when they could be interviewing guys who need exposure, and deserve a little tv time when they run great. I am sure you guys have felt that way when you make a great run, and they interview the guy you just beat because he is number 9 in the countdown instead of your driver.

 

[turbo ken]

I doubt the late great Steve Evans would have chased Larry down like Gary did, Steve Evans seemed to respect the fact that sometimes a driver didn't want to do an interview. Someone needs to kick Gary (or PP) in the nads, and then stick a microphone in his face and ask how he feels.