Maple Grove- Sunday Eliminations (32 Viewers)

[NitroLuver]

Wasn't sure where to put this.

Matt Hagan just unloaded on the NHRA about the bodies being tethered to the car.

He split the body on his FC and couldn't see where he was going.

Guys at NHRA making decisions that have never driven a FC, couldn't see where he was going, etc. He was pissed.

 

[ZWeinstein]

He's not wrong, those tethers are going to get someone killed. It almost killed Force.

 

[Paul]

He has a good point, this has been an issue for years. Johnny Gray wasn't a fan of them after his explosion in Sonoma and that was over 10 years ago. We also can't have bodies going into the stands, not sure what the right answer is.

 

[NitroLuver]

He has a good point, this has been an issue for years. Johnny Gray wasn't a fan of them after his explosion in Sonoma and that was over 10 years ago. We also can't have bodies going into the stands, not sure what the right answer is.

He said that as well....their is no easy answer but this isn't it. I doubt they will show the interview it on Fox.

 

[NitroLuver]

Sorry to be a spoiler.

DOug crossed over and hit Tony Stewart as the chutes came out. Both cars on their wheels. NHRA.TV is not showing anything yet.

Edit: Both drivers are out of the car.

Edit 2: Dougs front left wheel came off and shot across the track. Hit Tonys car which flipped on its side, hit the wall, but landed back on it's wheels. Doug was in right lane, Tony in the left.

 

[Gone Dead Train]

AA/FC They have been launching body's for years. Here is a classic from the great
Steve Reyes (from my magazine, Drag Racing Photo Greats early 1972) It's 1971
at Fremont, CA. The late Joe Winters in the seat, the body latch broke...Bitchin

 

[Nunz]

Sorry to be a spoiler.

DOug crossed over and hit Tony Stewart as the chutes came out. Both cars on their wheels. NHRA.TV is not showing anything yet.

Edit: Both drivers are out of the car.

Edit 2: Dougs front left wheel came off and shot across the track. Hit Tonys car which flipped on its side, hit the wall, but landed back on it's wheels. Doug was in right lane, Tony in the left.

Looks like the front tire came apart, the wheel didn't leave the car until after he hit Tony.

 

[NitroLuver]

Slow mo looks like Doug's tire either came apart or exploded as opposed to the whole wheel coming off.

 

[ZWeinstein]

Dont know if I have ever seen a front wheel do that before. Pretty scary deal, Tony looked like he was pretty gingerly walking to the ambulance.

Also kind of ironic, of the two drag racers in the world to crash into each other, its two guys who very likely have run into each other in the past back in their Midget/Sprint Car days.

 

[NitroLuver]

Looks like the front tire came apart, the wheel didn't leave the car until after he hit Tony.

Yep, you beat me to it.

 

[Nunz]

Yep, you beat me to it.

Treed ya!

 

[NitroLuver]

Treed ya!

Haha, slow reaction time here. You deep staged.

Tony just said he doesn't remember any of it until they woke him up.

 

[Paul]

Damn, Tony was knocked out.

 

[NitroLuver]

Well, TF standings are getting interesting.

 

[LoPony]

Yikes! Wonder if Doug will be able to drag the backup car out for the next round?

And way to go Steve O vs. Ashley! Slap that kid outta there!

And congrats Cruzer!!! I wanna see if Prock goes annd dents another tow vehicle now, the little baby.

Edit. Oh darn, all he did was throw gloves and bang on the funny car and then throw something else and just have to go pick it up. Kid’s got fire!

 

[T.Smith]

Wild day so far.

 

[LoPony]

Wild day so far.

No doubt. Cars all over the track, blowing up left and right, body shredded, crashes, funny cars almost in the sand trap. Man, I wish I’d been there in person for this one.

 

[DixonFan]

71K views · 1.9K reactions | Doug Kalitta and Tony Stewart collided during RD 2 of eliminations at the 40th #ReadingNats presented by Nitro Fish! Both exited the car under their own power. Tune into FS1 now to see what’s already been a wild start

Doug Kalitta and Tony Stewart collided during RD 2 of eliminations at the 40th #ReadingNats presented by Nitro Fish! Both exited the car under their own power. Tune into FS1 now to see what’s...

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[BaldyLochs]

I would think the last time Kalitta and Smoke made contact they were in Sprints or Midgets.

 

[Butch]

Prior to the tethers being required NHRA has discussed several solutions to keeping the body and parts out of the stands/spectators. One of which was the installation of "netting" like they have at baseball games. That idea was scrapped due to the cost that the tracks and/or NHRA would have to endure along with spectator's view being "blocked". Tethers are not the answer as witnessed by the Force accident along with those of Capps, Hagen et al. NHRA needs to revisit this before a fatality happens due to the tethers. NHRA needs to ask the chassis builders, the body builders, the drivers, crews and crew chiefs for their input not just listen to one or two people who have their "ear" when making rules.