Larry Dixon

[bukweet]

I am not a Dixon fan.
However, I do not think he knew (or forgot in the moment) it could be a one shot deal.
With the microphone and camera in his face I think he did one of the best jobs of emotional and phyiscal restraint I have seen in a long time. Anger and frustration with a touch of embarrasment on top is a tough pile to control.

 

[T.Smith]

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.

I understand what your saying and know from personal experience, but this doesn't really apply to this particular run. Didn't Tony Shoe also get interviewed?

 

[none]

Everyone is pointing to Larry.
How about the crew? Did they know there would be only one round of qualifying? If they did, it's their fault for not telling Larry.
If they didn't, did NHRA tell the crew?
JMHO
Lee
Nitroclovers

 

[CrewGuy]

I am not a Dixon fan.
However, I do not think he knew (or forgot in the moment) it could be a one shot deal.

Judging from his facial expression- Larry did not know about NHRA's decision.

Everyone is pointing to Larry.
How about the crew? Did they know there would be only one round of qualifying? If they did, it's their fault for not telling Larry.
If they didn't, did NHRA tell the crew?

Great point.

 

[kingcobrafan]

First of all, I missed the telecast, so I can't comment on whether Gerould was right or wrong. As far as racers go, however, if you're willing to bask in the glory at the end of a run where you just drilled someone to win the race , you need to be equally willing to put up with an interview where you screwed up, if that's what happened. Comes with the territory, IMO.

 

[T.Smith]

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.

Some of you need to come to the realization that Steve Evans is gone(God Bless his Soul) and he is never coming back.

But since you bring up Steve Evans, I can remember him interviewing an out of breath Mike Dunn after he had just went into a catch net on fire at 150mph, or how about the interview with Tim Grose after clearly on his way to a 1st round win at Indy, only to have the parachute come out and lose. The guy almost had an emotion breakdown. By far way tougher situations than Larry Dixon's DNQ.

 

[NCC250]

He f'd up plain and simple. Im thinking when he said "thats up to the guys in the tower to decide if theres another round" or something to that effect. Gary then let him know that they had in fact announced there was only 1 round he looked sick. As far as the reporter jamming a mic in his face: thats his job and I think its great. I did get a good laugh from the guy who offered to pay the fine of the racer who hits the reporter. What are ya stupid?



Round 1 goes to the Shoe.

 

[none]

No fake drama, just the biggest story of the race so far.........Not interview him, you have got to be kidding me!!!

I personally think he is the best out there but he (and his team) dropped the ball!

My wife and others at the house (that are not the biggest fans) were fascinated by the whole thing. The interview could not have been more revealing. We always say the thing that separates us(and makes us better) than other sports is how much access we have to our stars. That was a perfect example.....

 

[NCC250]

No fake drama, just the biggest story of the race so far.........Not interview him, you have got to be kidding me!!!

I personally think he is the best out there but he (and his team) dropped the ball!

My wife and others at the house (that are not the biggest fans) were fascinated by the whole thing. The interview could not have been more revealing. We always say the thing that separates us(and makes us better) than other sports is how much access we have to our stars. That was a perfect example.....

Yes what he said.

Dixon just said a coil wire came unplugged and "dead in the water" He must have rear view mirror on that machine as he saw the coil was unplugged and decided not to hit the throttle again.

 

[Bobby]

BFD. move along now.....

 

[Joker]

There's nothing wrong with asking Larry what he did. Its part of the job.

But I do agree that there's no way in hell Larry shouldnt have realized they may/probably only get 1 shot. Not pedaling was just a dumb move. Everybody makes mistakes, and I'm sure he wont make that one again.

 

[CrewGuy]

Yes what he said.

Dixon just said a coil wire came unplugged and "dead in the water" He must have rear view mirror on that machine as he saw the coil was unplugged and decided not to hit the throttle again.

I looked at the video of the run, frame by frame. When the butterflys closed- the header flames went out- not viceversa. Actually, the header flames were still present a few frames AFTER the throttle was closed. If he sensed the ignition problem and got off the throttle that fast- He has ESP!

 

[haagar]

I looked at the video of the run, frame by frame. When the butterflys closed- the header flames went out- not viceversa. Actually, the header flames were still present a few frames AFTER the throttle was closed. If he sensed the ignition problem and got off the throttle that fast- He has ESP!

I was just coming here to post the same thing. I am a big LD fan, but plain and simple he messed up.

 

[GregM784]

LD has years of practice in qualifying. When it rattles in qual, you click it. It happes 4x24 races a year. If it rattles, click it. He most likely was in mental cruise control. Hindsight is better than 20/20. LAY OFF.

LD is cool. he is a smart cookie, but **** happens. He gets to watch today. Think he'll make this mistake again? I highly doubt it.

 

[BF]

BFD. move along now.....

My sentiments exactly. Besides, with our point format and less than 16 cars running the entire schedule, it really means little more than a very dissapointing first outing for a new team. Does anybody think that they won't be in the top 10 when it counts?

 

[Butch]

Everybody remember these are all TEST and Tune runs until May-June. Thanks to the Clown Down. LD has plenty of time to get ready.

 

[megadeth]

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?

I would be worried about the legal ramifications then the fine crap!
Not to mention Alan’s wrath for getting them disqualified from competition for what ever period!
Tony's right what a bunch of bed wetters!

 

[paoldtimer]

No fake drama, just the biggest story of the race so far.........Not interview him, you have got to be kidding me!!!

I personally think he is the best out there but he (and his team) dropped the ball!....

I equate it to earlier this year when Donovan McNabb claimed he didnt know that the Eagles game will end in a tie if overtime ends with the score tied.

The look of total surprise was the give-away. Priceless.

 

[jackass]

I've read most of hte posts here... laughed my butt off on many.. and some so stupid i quit reading them....

but... in reality...for some of you... Dixon wasn't trying to avoid the interview... he was heading back to his pits to get ready for what HE thought was his next round... watch the interview you tell by his suprise to the news of no second round..... usualy as most of you complain about ...he expected no interview since his run sucked...for what ever reason....

Gary didn't ambush him he was doing his job to find out what was wrong since this AJ/Dixon/Al-Anabi deal has more hype than Obama.... it just all turned into an O-CRAP moment....(thats not a slam on Obama.. so don't start)

realy the only thing worth talking about is why didn't someone relay the message to Dixon it would be one run and done no matter what.. aparently from the interview he had no clue....the drivers before him knew and lugged it out....why didn't he?...

IF he had known... i'm sure Larry would have pushed the car across to a better time...lol...


Billy

 

[MoparBilly]

I agree with the above post that it was an "oh crap" moment for both Larry Dixon, and Gary Gerould, and in my opinion, it was one of the best moments of NHRA entertainment on TV, that I've seen since the Diamond P days!!

Larry went from a total deer in headlights, to stammering, to saving the thing with a smile faster than he ever could've pedaled the car, and Gary did as well as he could to back down gracefully as soon as he realized Larry had no clue of the situation.

To the Gary Gerould bashers, back off, now! As already stated he's the consumate proffesional, and has more talent than anyone else on that broadcast by a large margin.

Alan Johnson covering for his Driver...do you expect anything less?? The cream rises to the top, and that team will be just fine!