Tony Shoe in funnycar?

[shawn fleischmann]

What does Tony have to prove?
To me a lot! Where would Tony be with out AJ!
AJ tuned Scelzi and won, before he tuned Tony to consecutive championships.
Let's see what Tony can do without AJ.
If AJ's car becomes an "also ran" then Tony can say I, not we or he.

Lee
Nitroclovers

A lot of people seem to be forgetting, Tony won the championship without AJ in 1999.

 

[none]

Your right Tony did win in '99.
And that is very good!
Let's see how AJ does. I maybe eating crow, crowpie (hope that's not like cow), and other styles.

Lee Sheets
Nitroclovers

 

[ozfuel]

With Scelzi retiring and Mopar pulling their support, methinks ol Don might have a spare FC or two for next season.
Can't see it happening though.

Mark.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Tony Shoe won races and a Championship before AJ ... I am certainly not willing to write him off from winning races and Championships without AJ ... that team will continue to have everything it needs to be out front.

Well put Chris. I don't know why everyone thinks Tony's team is going to completely fall apart without AJ. I don't think they are going to become all thumbs and forget their jobs.

AJ on the other hand will be an all new crew, new car, new driver, new class. Now thats a team I would'nt expect great things out of the first season.

I like them both, it's gonna be interesting to see what team does better in '09, Tony without AJ ?? or AJ without Tony & DSR. Hmmm.........

 

[Nunz]

I don't think Tony has to prove anything to anyone. He won a championship before AJ came aboard, and he's proven to be as good a driver as anyone out there. AJ is a bad-arse tuner, but many, many of their wins were when they really just rose to the occasion and didn't buckle under pressure. I think the whole chemistry thing has a lot to do with it. I don't ever remember people saying "let's see what Force could do without Coil" as much as they do about Tony & AJ. I was a fan of Don's FCs back when my dad raced in the '60s & '70s, and I think one of Tony's great accomplishments was luring his dad back into the sport after such a long layoff. Look at the impact DSR has had on the sport! Anyway, I think it would be cool to see Tony try a FC, he seems to be all about the challenge and isn't afraid to take a step or two back while conquering the next one.

 

[DLB]

I don't think Tony has to prove anything to anyone. He won a championship before AJ came aboard, and he's proven to be as good a driver as anyone out there. AJ is a bad-arse tuner, but many, many of their wins were when they really just rose to the occasion and didn't buckle under pressure. I think the whole chemistry thing has a lot to do with it. I don't ever remember people saying "let's see what Force could do without Coil" as much as they do about Tony & AJ. I was a fan of Don's FCs back when my dad raced in the '60s & '70s, and I think one of Tony's great accomplishments was luring his dad back into the sport after such a long layoff. Look at the impact DSR has had on the sport! Anyway, I think it would be cool to see Tony try a FC, he seems to be all about the challenge and isn't afraid to take a step or two back while conquering the next one.

Well said.

DLB

 

[Bobby Bennett]

Scroll down to #5

Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com - BACK TO THE FUTURE - FUNNY CAR THROWBACKS

 

[mick]

Scroll down to #5

Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com - BACK TO THE FUTURE - FUNNY CAR THROWBACKS

as usual, all the designs are jaw-dropping beautiful, but IMO any
retro 'army' themed FC based on the snake's former FC's should be run
out of the snake's stabble.

 

[clwill]

As Nunzio said, the Army car is a winner not just because AJ is a clear genius. This is way more of a team sport than I think people sometimes give it credit for being. If Tony was a terrible shoe, often late on the tree or inconsistent in his procedures or all over the track and out of the groove, no amount of tuning could make it the dominant car it is today. Similarly, if the crew was a mess, forgetting the little things or not strictly doing the setup exactly as requested or inconsistent in their procedures, it wouldn't matter a darn what AJ had chosen for the setup.

The Army team, love 'em or hate 'em, is an incredibly impressive machine. Just spend a turnaround watching them, the whole turnaround. It's like watching the Borg tune a car -- an amazing team.

Reminds me of the 2001 Seattle Mariners -- the team that tied the record for most wins in baseball history with 116-46 record. Some very good players, and a very good manager in Lou Pinnella, but not "amazing" enough to seem likely to pull of that record. I had the chance to ask Jay Buhner why it was happening and he stated clearly: clubhouse chemistry, the best gelling team he'd ever seen in baseball.

A really tight team of simply good performers can work wonders. Add in a true superstar (like AJ) and you get once-in-a-lifetime performances. We're watching one now with the Army team. I think we should all be celebrating it, because we're likely to never see it again in our lifetimes.