Regarding edwards, krisher 2nd rd.

[Dave]

It would seem that getting it right would have been more important than messing up a tv show that is taped for later broadcast. You can't tell me Stewart did not know he screwed up immediately but lacked the nads to admit it. What if this costs Edwards in the rankings for the countdown and he is 4th instead of 3rd (example) and he ends up loosing the championship by that point differential.

 

[Rocketman 207]

Goodness knows how it would have played out had Anderson been involved

 

[twostep]

You can't tell me Stewart did not know he screwed up immediately but lacked the nads to admit it.

Right on the first count, wrong on the second. Rick Stewart isn't NHRA's spokesperson. Graham Light is. When the review was finished to their satisfaction, Light announced the findings. I still believe a rerun was in order, despite the technical difficulties of doing so. But I applaud NHRA for not spinning the story to their advantage. Stewart made a mistake; he's human, the issue has been officially put to bed.

 

[BigDaddyB]

Right on the first count, wrong on the second. Rick Stewart isn't NHRA's spokesperson. Graham Light is. When the review was finished to their satisfaction, Light announced the findings. I still believe a rerun was in order, despite the technical difficulties of doing so. But I applaud NHRA for not spinning the story to their advantage. Stewart made a mistake; he's human, the issue has been officially put to bed.

Yes Mr. Steward is human. But I guess I'm strange I admire men who step up to plate an admit their mistakes and take responsibility for their wrongness. Yes he is not a spokesperson for NHRA but he is for himself.

 

[Bullard Anderson]

Yes Mr. Steward is human. But I guess I'm strange I admire men who step up to plate an admit their mistakes and take responsibility for their wrongness. Yes he is not a spokesperson for NHRA but he is for himself.

One thought here Bruce would be that he was told to keep his silence on this issue by his employers. Also, speaking in today's world sometimes creates more controversy than it's worth. Especially for a employee who pretty much needs to be unbiased, invisible and just do his job. Just a thought.

 

[mick]

.........Especially for a employee who pretty much needs to be unbiased, invisible and just do his job. Just a thought.

that's a pretty good take on it steve - referees are sometimes a topic
of discussion in sports, but more often their job is performed flawlessly
to allow an even flow of competition

 

[Randy]

One thought here Bruce would be that he was told to keep his silence on this issue by his employers. Also, speaking in today's world sometimes creates more controversy than it's worth. Especially for a employee who pretty much needs to be unbiased, invisible and just do his job. Just a thought.

Compared to Buster or Larry Sutton who weren't/aren't afraid to go toe to toe with anyone.

The autostart switch on the box should be a "normally closed" switch (always on). If there is a problem then Rick's job should be to flip the switch and shut autostart off. Otherwise his job is a simple traffic cop only there if he needs to intervene.

To me the whole concept of autostart is another in the long line of problems we face today as computers run our lives. Back in the Buster days if two guys played games on the line or held each other out Buster would become the third man in the equation. Sometimes he'd give them a quick tree and other times he'd let them think about it while the drivers sat on high "C" waiting for the tree.

Even though autostart is supposed to be random it's not all that random. It's not too uncommon now to see someone take a shot at the tree (guess) and come out on to due to the predictability of autostart. I know Jeff or someone else will follow my post by saying "No, no...it's random." But the truth is, it's very predictable. And anyone who races a lot, sees the tree at 2-3 events a month and knows they are under the gun will come out on top more than not by anticipating autostart.

RG

 

[twostep]

Just yesterday I read an article in a prominent automotive rag that discussed an interview with the CEO of America's largest motorsports-marketing firm. The company represents F1, sprint cars, IndyCar, NASCAR, NHRA and a host of other forms of auto racing. He was asked specifically why NASCAR attendance was in the tank.

"Simple", he replied. "They pi$$ed in their own bed". Meaning that their commentators, announcers, track officials and competitors bi*ched for so long about restrictor races, the Car of Tomorrow, their points countdown, the 3-lap finish rule and so forth, that their fans started to agree with them and stayed away en masse. If those in charge say it sucks, then it must suck, right?

While Stewart's mistake is miniscule in the grand scheme of things, perhaps NHRA is wise enough to know that it's best for their employees and other self-appointed know-it-alls to keep their mouths SHUT and let a designated spokesperson (Light) publically address any issues that arise. I don't see this deal as Stewart having no balls. I see it as a good call on the part of NHRA. They resolved the issue fairly, timely, with no spin and no unanswered questions.

Having said this, I'm with Randy above me. I'd like to see a return to the starter actually having a say in things. Made the day a bit more interesting, wouldn't you say?

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

I was all for the re-do. But after reading the quote by Mr. Light, it's a done deal. "There is no set time for the tree to fire". That means it's totally up to the starter. If he wants to hold the cars on "hi-C " for 20 seconds, it's up to him.

I always thought there was a computer controled delay of between .7 and 1.2 sec. after the fourth yellow....guess I was wrong. So baised on Lights statement there was no error. Bada-Boom, Bada,bing!!!