Seems like the NHRA officials are as blind as NFL refs....

[Frank]

The center line is actually two lines that run down the track, with the timing blocks in between them. If the driver hits one of the blocks, end of story, he/she is disqualified. If no timing blocks are involved, then the driver is allowed to go over the line closest to him or her, but not over the second line (he or she can touch the second line, but they're DQ'd if they completely cross it). This has happened a few times over the last decade or so that I can remember. Below is a picture courtesy of Mark Rebilas from Topeka in 2011. Mike Neff defeated Tony Pedregon and the result stood after officials checked the track. Just like Hagan did yesterday, Neff crossed the first line on his side of the timing blocks, but he didn't cross the second line on T. Peds side of the timing block. I want to say Doug Kalitta had a wild ride where he did the same thing 3 or 4 years ago and his win was upheld, but I might be remembering that wrong.

 

[None]

None of it really matters. The rule book and the "ink is never dry" policy manual are only used to make sure whoever the NHRA want to advance or win, does.

 

[PJ]

I think most are thinking football or basketball set of boundries where touching the line is out or breaking the plane is a score. You have to cross it here

 

[Professional Fan]

The center line is actually two lines that run down the track, with the timing blocks in between them. If the driver hits one of the blocks, end of story, he/she is disqualified. If no timing blocks are involved, then the driver is allowed to go over the line closest to him or her, but not over the second line (he or she can touch the second line, but they're DQ'd if they completely cross it). This has happened a few times over the last decade or so that I can remember. Below is a picture courtesy of Mark Rebilas from Topeka in 2011. Mike Neff defeated Tony Pedregon and the result stood after officials checked the track. Just like Hagan did yesterday, Neff crossed the first line on his side of the timing blocks, but he didn't cross the second line on T. Peds side of the timing block. I want to say Doug Kalitta had a wild ride where he did the same thing 3 or 4 years ago and his win was upheld, but I might be remembering that wrong.

I don't think this is correct. At the race Alan Reinhart was very clear (and the rule posted previously here) that the test is whether the any part of the tire completely crossed the first center line. There is a gap between the two center lines so you could completely cross the first one and not touch the second one and be disqualified. I was at Pomona and thought Matt crossed the centerline but it was really tough to tell since the replay didn't have a clear view of the tire itself. As mentioned previously, with the car swinging around in these cases, usually there are tire tracks that the Safety Safari can look at. Not sure if there were tracks in ths case.

 

[ironpony]

Looks like Matt was driving a slalom course between the blocks.
Depending on who's definition is right, he did not cross both but definitely crossed his.

 

[.]

Looks like Matt was driving a slalom course between the blocks.
Depending on who's definition is right, he did not cross both but definitely crossed his.

"the line directly adjacent to the competitor's racing lane"

 

[ironpony]

I would have to say based on what Brent posted Hagan was definitely over the centerline.
However I do wonder what the reasoning was behind not DQing him.

 

[.]

Just saw this on FB. Maybe they did make the right call.

 

[ironpony]

looks like he was 3 feet off the centerline, optical illusion

 

[.]

looks like he was 3 feet off the centerline, optical illusion

So hard to tell from that low-res screencap. I'm guessing the track observers were all over that tire mark trying to figure out if he went over or not. It sure seemed strange the way it was handled though with no replays or alternative angles.

 

[Rajunz]

From looking at that picture, it does look like they made the right call. We couldn't tell at home because after a full year of broadcasting, the television shows still look like they're produced by rookies. Did Coughlin really get beat on a holeshot by Antron? I sure couldn't tell you because they forgot to show any graphics!

 

[vlad the impaler]

How wadded up do you think that left side tire was with the side load on it, probably about ready to roll off the rim leaving a very small contact patch.

 

[moon]

if he did cross, the officials all got together and had no volunteers to walk up to Matt and let him know he was DQ'd

 

[Nobody]

I understand the rule as written. Yet, comparing the Hagen and Neff screen caps posted above, it seems a competitor could strike the car in the other lane causing them to lose control and not be disqualified. (I know, reaalllly unlikely) You have to question if this is really the intent of the rule. Conversely, I realize it would be near impossible to enforce a more stringent lane rule without replacing orange blocks every 3rd pass of Pro Mod.
You really have to wonder how far that wheelie bar was hanging across the line tho....

 

[.]

I think the rule needs to be changed. It's kind of idiotic that you can hang 2 or 3 feet of body over the line and not be DQ'd as long as the tire doesn't go over the line, but you're DQ'd if you tap a foam block only a few inches over the line.

 

[Butch]

I think the rule needs to be changed. It's kind of idiotic that you can hang 2 or 3 feet of body over the line and not be DQ'd as long as the tire doesn't go over the line, but you're DQ'd if you tap a foam block only a few inches over the line.

Or even worse the header touching a block, and what about the exhaust blowing the block?

 

[Frank]

I stand corrected, thank you Brent for pulling up the rule book. I agree, the rule should be changed. Instead of using painted lines and tire tracks to determine a foul, why not shoot a beam down the length of the track? Make the foam block at the 1320' mark 3 or so inches taller than a normal block and have it shoot a beam back to the starting line (or vice versa). If any part of the car trips the beam, the racer is disqualified. If the beam is tripped by a bird, a piece of trash, or a nitro car after the 1000' blocks, the trigger is ignored. Not sure if the exhaust flames would preclude this from being feasible. Probably so. The NFL has cameras inside the goal line pylons so you could even put a small camera in the foam block with a feed going to the tower for Graham Light or someone to review and make a call.
Just throwing out some ideas.