NHRA re: The Incident (2 Viewers)

[I was NITRO BREATH]

Capps was penalized monetarily and I believe put on probation. Ed McChulloch punched a guy years ago (not Mineo) when working for Connie and I'll never forget Connie offering to pay the fine and Ed telling him, Na, it was worth it.

The point being that this happens once every 7 or 8 years but to my knowledge NHRA has always been consistent in the penalty and taking points away has never been part of it.

Alan

it seems to me that a fine is not enough. especially in this era where so many teams are owned by very wealthy people. a fine is not an adequate reprimand. points deducted or suspension are the only thing that will get the intended result. which is to discourage the type of behavoir that steve exhibited. i understand that this was done in the heat of the moment. but it was terrible behavior on steves part. Actions have consequences and we all have to answer for our actions. the context of steves actions should be considered. but the ramifications of what he did are serious. the bad publicity nhra has gotten from this, the terrlble example he set for young racers, and lets not forget the humiliation of a fellow racer who ,by the way did, nothing wrong. i respect what steve and his team have done over the past few years and what his family has contributed to nhra racing. but he should not be allowed to just pay a fine, which he can well afford and ignore , and not recieve some sort of points deduction that he cannot ignore.

 

[TSK]

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Oh dear . . . Maybe it’s a wise move for Top Fuel racer Cameron Ferré not to take the advice of close buddy, sportsman-racing veteran, and “Racers in Rental Cars” podcast co-host Don O’Neal. All racers are trying to find a way to stand out among the crowd and get attention for their sponsors or...

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Sorta makes you wonder what shot through Cameron's head before Steve decided he'd had enough.

Steve makes no bones about being a proud Texican.
Maybe Cameron said something like, if the Alamo had had a back door, there would be no Texas, that might have gotten Torrence stirred up.

 

[tenxal]

When things like this have happened in the past the penalties have come in the way of fines and probation, no matter who instigated the incident. I expect that to be the case here. But I have nothing to do with that process. It is usually the established racer taking issue with the "New Guy" who they feel didn't show proper respect or two veterans who have an issue. I can't remember a case where a newer racer has been the one to initiate a physical altercation with a veteran.

Steve's speech last night started with an apology to Cameron and a VERY sincere (in my opinion) apology to everyone including the Jr. kids that look up to him. CAPCO sponsors a number of Jr. racers and programs and he was ashamed of the example he set for those kids who want to race at a high level some day. I have yet to see a professional hockey player do that.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that the tires of the CAPCO haulers got slashed overnight Sunday or maybe some of you think that they deserved it.

Alan

Hi Alan. This season, at the ATCO Div. 1 Divisional race, a sportsman racer was dq'd and given a one year suspension for a verbal threat toward another racer. Sportsman racers everywhere are watching to see how this plays out with Torrence.

As to the tires being slashed...that's about as sleazy as it gets. Hopefully, whoever did it gets caught and prosecuted.

 

[Huge]

Who did he hit?

Bazesore...I mean Bazemore.

 

[PJ]

The Capps/Baze issue is a little different. You have co-workers in the confines of their trailer and I believe no cameras. Now it is still on NHRA grounds/event so they have the right to fine as well. If two of Shoe's crew guys get into it in the trailer. Does NHRA step in or does the Don take care of it? Does the NHRA even learn about it in that case? Heck didn't they deny anything for awhile with this. Now if that altercation starts in the pits for all to see, then it is NHRA's deal.

With this we have the entire thing on camera. I think the biggest thing is how it went from 0 to face pop. If Torrence gets out yelling, goes over and continues yelling they start pumping and pushing and then a face shot. Well then you have a normal progression and while that still isn't good, it makes more sense. Here you went from annoyed Steve to cheap shot to the face. The sucker punch....err slap is what makes it so bad.

Whoever slashed the tires is 100% jerk and needs to be caught.

Also I laugh when people get all riled up about staging and rules they've made up in their head. Next year every driver now knows how to mess with Steve. I'd double bulb, go deep, take as much as I want on those 7 seconds.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

With all this talk about championship etiquette, shouldn’t a skilled driver not be phased by an opponent deep staging? I realize drivers have routines but the best drivers are also quick to adapt to anything thrown their way.
One of the great things about drag racing is that each round is its own hurdle. A championship leader isn’t only competing against the other contenders, they have to prove themselves against anyone in the other lane. Pro Stock Motorcycle was the perfect example of this - the rookie can take down a champion (or three).

Couldn't agree more, Luke. As I stated before, Torrence got caught with his pants down and it was THAT that he was pissed about, whether he would admit that or not. The incidents beyond that point are nothing more than his own BS he fabricated in his mind about why he was pissed.

I've done enough driving of my own over the years, and while it's never been on the professional level, we all operate under the same rules on the starting line. The fact of the matter is if you get rattled and do something stupid up there, it's on you, period. The rules don't allow for it to be any other way.

Sean D

 

[Marchboom]

it seems to me that a fine is not enough. especially in this era where so many teams are owned by very wealthy people. a fine is not an adequate reprimand. points deducted or suspension are the only thing that will get the intended result. which is to discourage the type of behavoir that steve exhibited. i understand that this was done in the heat of the moment. but it was terrible behavior on steves part. Actions have consequences and we all have to answer for our actions. the context of steves actions should be considered. but the ramifications of what he did are serious. the bad publicity nhra has gotten from this, the terrlble example he set for young racers, and lets not forget the humiliation of a fellow racer who ,by the way did, nothing wrong. i respect what steve and his team have done over the past few years and what his family has contributed to nhra racing. but he should not be allowed to just pay a fine, which he can well afford and ignore , and not recieve some sort of points deduction that he cannot ignore.

The problem with your post is that deducting points hurts the entire team...not just Steve. And in the case of a championship that can mean a lot of money. What's the most effective way to deal with Steve and his action? I don't know exactly. How much of a fine would it take to get his attention? $10,000? $20,000? $100,000? But to punish the entire team would definitely be the wrong way to go. Hell, one of the CAPCO team members quickly stepped in and separated the 2 racers. The negative response Steve is getting and will get in the future will do more to prevent this from happening again, IMO. Spectators at Pomona in Feb will remind him of what occurred last Sunday.

 

[Rat]

The Capps/Baze issue is a little different. You have co-workers in the confines of their trailer and I believe no cameras. Now it is still on NHRA grounds/event so they have the right to fine as well. If two of Shoe's crew guys get into it in the trailer. Does NHRA step in or does the Don take care of it? Does the NHRA even learn about it in that case? Heck didn't they deny anything for awhile with this. Now if that altercation starts in the pits for all to see, then it is NHRA's deal.

With this we have the entire thing on camera. I think the biggest thing is how it went from 0 to face pop. If Torrence gets out yelling, goes over and continues yelling they start pumping and pushing and then a face shot. Well then you have a normal progression and while that still isn't good, it makes more sense. Here you went from annoyed Steve to cheap shot to the face. The sucker punch....err slap is what makes it so bad.

Whoever slashed the tires is 100% jerk and needs to be caught.

Also I laugh when people get all riled up about staging and rules they've made up in their head. Next year every driver now knows how to mess with Steve. I'd double bulb, go deep, take as much as I want on those 7 seconds.

Exactly right. There was no film and the only people who saw it being a distorted he said/she said. I remember the Ace pretty much telling GG to get out even though he was doing his job to try and report on it. That was also a situation that played no merit on the championship that year (06) as Capps finished I believe 3rd not close and Baze vacated his ride to sometime after INDY to Beckman and took the lower top ten finish

 

[Jer]

Bazesore...I mean Bazemore.

Ace hit baze too?

 

[mgty3whlr]

So I've been following this thread from the start and saw Everyone's opinion, Now here's my take, Bash me if you want.... First, As most think, Steve is that spoiled ASS brat that had everything handed to him. I think that some like me think that he actually busts his butt to make this happen. Most are salty because you have Huge teams like DSR, JFR, and the Kalittas who crank tons of money into their program and can't even get close to mostly a single team unless Billy decides to take a trip down the track. They Hired Alan Johnson as a consultant. They weren't Stupid, They absorbed his technology like a sponge and applied it to their program. Genius in my book! Look at other teams that took Alan's advice. The Laganas are a family that wanted to apply their talent but didn't have the budget to do what they are doing now. On to the Cameron thing...….. What did he say????? Obviously nobody on this site knows, Just assuming that Steve is the Biggest ******* of all time! Well, I bet Cameron didn't say something nice like, I hope your momma Kay gets throat cancer you rich prick. Obviously, Everyone is getting assed up about Steve but until you hear what Cameron said to Steve, Maybe you will understand why he did what he did. And stay off of social media if you feel like you are Too politically correct!

 

[Huge]

Ace hit baze too?

No, Capps hit Bazemore. If I remember correctly Ace got into a scuffle with a fan.

 

[Steve Wayne]

You guys kill me with the "You dont know what Cameron said bs!" Who cares! It doesnt matter what I say to you, they are words and that gives nobody any right to to lay their hands on someone else. Plain and simple, if the roles were reversed and a lower budget non championship driver had done something like this on national tv the hammer would have been dropped on them, and anyone with any common sense knows this! If a sportsman racer laid his hands on another racer we would be escorted off the property. Its the double standard here that is gonna bite NHRA in the ass. The customer is always right, and the customers (fans) have came out in droves over this and are absolutely pissed that nothing has been done. Just look at NHRAs facebook page, the other champs have 300-500 congratulatory comments, both Torrence posts have well over 3,000 comments and 99% are all negative comments calling for his and NHRAs head. And thats just on their page

 

[Steve Wayne]

NHRA's failure to come down hard on Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence speaks volumes: Boys and girls, have at it!

Just wondering whether the NHRA believes in its own Participant Conduct policy.

autoweek.com

Nailed it IMO

 

[Jer]

You guys kill me with the "You dont know what Cameron said bs!" Who cares! It doesnt matter what I say to you, they are words and that gives nobody any right to to lay their hands on someone else. Plain and simple, if the roles were reversed and a lower budget non championship driver had done something like this on national tv the hammer would have been dropped on them, and anyone with any common sense knows this! If a sportsman racer laid his hands on another racer we would be escorted off the property. Its the double standard here that is gonna bite NHRA in the ass. The customer is always right, and the customers (fans) have came out in droves over this and are absolutely pissed that nothing has been done. Just look at NHRAs facebook page, the other champs have 300-500 congratulatory comments, both Torrence posts have well over 3,000 comments and 99% are all negative comments calling for his and NHRAs head. And thats just on their page

Id still like to know what he said just bc lol.

 

[Gone Dead Train]

You guys kill me with the "You dont know what Cameron said bs!" Who cares! It doesnt matter what I say to you, they are words and that gives nobody any right to to lay their hands on someone else. Plain and simple, if the roles were reversed and a lower budget non championship driver had done something like this on national tv the hammer would have been dropped on them, and anyone with any common sense knows this! If a sportsman racer laid his hands on another racer we would be escorted off the property. Its the double standard here that is gonna bite NHRA in the ass. The customer is always right, and the customers (fans) have came out in droves over this and are absolutely pissed that nothing has been done. Just look at NHRAs facebook page, the other champs have 300-500 congratulatory comments, both Torrence posts have well over 3,000 comments and 99% are all negative comments calling for his and NHRAs head. And thats just on their page

Well said Steve. All you have to do watch the race from the time they staged until the fight got broke up. Torrence was pissed and crying before the cars left the
starting line. The facts are right there in plain sight!!!

 

[Rat]

NHRA's failure to come down hard on Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence speaks volumes: Boys and girls, have at it!

Just wondering whether the NHRA believes in its own Participant Conduct policy.

autoweek.com

Nailed it IMO

This is why NHRA should have ended it ASAP instead of giving a chance for articles like that. Does the NHRA need BAD mainstream press with the little it has already? IDGAF if it was a jam packed day of racing, whatever else going on, the awards the next day....I just don't care. Instead of the article saying NHRA did so and so and handled it, instead it's "look at the nhra who did nothing."

 

[twostep]

You guys kill me with the "You dont know what Cameron said bs!" Who cares! It doesnt matter what I say to you, they are words and that gives nobody any right to to lay their hands on someone else. Plain and simple

People aren't trying to justify Torrence's actions, Steve, even his biggest fans. They're trying to understand them....trying to understand what would drive a professional racer to do something so damn DUMB. That's why many are saying "You don't know what Cameron said". Something was said...body language was expressed...something...that caused Torrence to temporarily take leave of his senses. OF COURSE he should have dropped the whole deal immediately after he told Amanda Busick "if he wants to act like a little kid", etc. and I don't believe anyone anywhere would argue that point.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

OF COURSE he should have dropped the whole deal immediately after he told Amanda Busick "if he wants to act like a little kid", etc. and I don't believe anyone anywhere would argue that point.

Or instead of saying that, he could've said something more accurate like, "Damn! The boy caught me with my pants down! Thank God for them Capco boys for bailing me out on that one!"...........

Sean D

 

[ironpony]

UPDATE;

Wednesday 4:00 pm EST

NADA, ZILCH, ZERO..................

 

[twostep]

Or instead of saying that, he could've said something more accurate like, "Damn! The boy caught me with my pants down! Thank God for them Capco boys for bailing me out on that one!"...........

Sean D

Well, there's that.....
I just visited Torrence's facebook page and his banquet speech is up. He spent about 2-3 minutes apologizing, to his team, to kids who look to him as a role model and to Cameron Ferre, who was in attendance. Then on with the usual acknowledgments. There's dozens of comments; from what I saw it was running about 2-1 in support of Torrence, basically saying 'you messed up bad; you owned it, time to move on."