Where are the Torrences?

[Pete]

Scott was not running the full tour anyway this year, he is only running 15 or so races

unless he makes the countdown

 

[Pete]

Don't you have to be registered by end of the day the Monday before the race. If so not getting it settle until Tuesday made it to late.

I believe past champions can simply show up...I can't remember

 

[SoCal Racer]

How's that? So the countdown caused them to miss the first race? The countdown caused Steve to push a competitor in the face? Oh, OK, got it!

I'm just looking forward to other drivers deep staging on him It not that I dislike him, I just think how he acted at the end of the season was quite childish.

Should have been more clear. No, I'm not saying the countdown caused anyone to miss the first race, and I'm not condoning Steve's behavior. It's just that before the points reset the TF championship was pretty much decided, and the unnecessary countdown puts drivers in a pressure cooker at the last race. I just think tempers may not have flared at the Finals and the whole incident could have been prevented by letting the season-long top points earner be the winner and not negate their hard work with a reset. But I guess we're stuck with it.

Regardless of the pressure and all that was at stake, I agree a man needs to take it in stride and be professional about it, but that's not what happened.

And yes, the countdown is to blame for sinkholes, solar flares, and the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.

 

[TD5023]

I believe past champions can simply show up...I can't remember

No, every racer on the grounds must have pre-entered in order to race. For sportsman classes, it's a hard deadline the Monday before the race. Pro class entries can still enter after that, but they have to get special approval (though I doubt anyone would be turned down). The benefit to being a past champion is exemption from the quota restrictions, but they still have to go through the proper entry procedures. It's detailed here:

http://www.nhraracer.com/Files/Competition/SPORTSMAN_NATIONAL_EVENT_ENTRY_PROCEDURES_and_FEES.pdf

 

[legendman]

It will be interesting to see if the NHRA explains why it took them so long to answer the Torrences appeal ( if the story is true ) You know its gonna have to be part of the Phoenix TV broadcast.

This statement from Momma Kay explains a lot: "It was about trying to settle the appeal we filed with the NHRA on November the 29th. We didn’t want any unresolved issues going into the new season, but we had trouble getting (NHRA) to respond to our letter of appeal."
That is understandable. It would be one less thing to worry about while trying to race.
But, why did it take NHRA so long for this to be resolved? And why was it resolved only after the entry deadline had passed?
However, as Kevin Cook mentioned in his post above, we are only hearing one side of the story. As with anything, there are at least two sides to any story. And somewhere in between is the truth.

Japanese inspection?

 

[Butch]

I'd be pissed if I had to pay a fine and go to classes, only to see NHRA using my actions
to advertise for the racing.

 

[Polish Hammer]

I'd be pissed if I had to pay a fine and go to classes, only to see NHRA using my actions
to advertise for the racing.

If he actually took the prescribed anger management classes he’d be better equipped to manage his anger over his immature and unprofessional actions now airing in a commercial.

 

[Butch]

If he actually took the prescribed anger management classes he’d be better equipped to manage his anger over his immature and unprofessional actions now airing in a commercial.

So if you are ordered to pay XX amount and go to classes. Then the people that gave you the orders turn around and profit from
the incident. You are OK with that.

 

[camaro]

unless i missed it, not a word of this was mentioned on NHRA.com. The series champion, 2 years running, in the top class, skips the first race of the season, apparently puts the NHRA in a bad light, but nevertheless, it is major news and should be reported. the interesting thing is they (nhra) didnt do anything wrong in my view.

 

[mikebcurve]

Does the money from these fines go to the safety safari? I thought it has in the past.

 

[mgty3whlr]

Back in the day, Ron Capps, Whit Basemore, etc. All had temper tantrums. That all got brushed under the rug. No fines or anger management. Now NHRA uses the footage to promote Excitement for Steve. Kinda F'ed up.

 

[NITRO JUNKIE]

Does the money from these fines go to the safety safari? I thought it has in the past.

The article I read said “ the fine will go to enhancing the capabilities of the Safety Safari.

 

[Dragracer]

He definitely has a good shot again this year. He has come so close in the past it is hard not to feel bad for that team if they don't get one soon because who knows how long he will keep racing.

Eugene, you know me I am rooting for Doug Kalitta. It's his turn to win the championship, Pomona was a good start.

 

[mgty3whlr]

Now that Eugene is outta the loop, He better get into PTW game! wanna see if he's better at picking winning cars or a steak dinner. LOL

 

[Mike]

unless he makes the countdown

he can't make it now, he missed 1 of the first 18 races (maybe he was only going to run 15, but the change was made to help teams like his that ran all the races but didn't finish in the top 10)

 

[BOO BOO]

he can't make it now, he missed 1 of the first 18 races (maybe he was only going to run 15, but the change was made to help teams like his that ran all the races but didn't finish in the top 10)

Ok ? Why you thinking he can't make it?

 

[.]

Back in the day, Ron Capps, Whit Basemore, etc. All had temper tantrums. That all got brushed under the rug. No fines or anger management. Now NHRA uses the footage to promote Excitement for Steve. Kinda F'ed up.

Uh... Capps got fined 10k for punching Bazemore's lights out in Atlanta in 2006.

And both Bazemore and Mike Green got nicked (Green for $5k in 2012) for cursing officials, which is a violation of participant conduct code.

In 2009, John Force got hit for $10k for scrapping with Cruz at the big end when an official got bumped when he got in the middle of it trying to break it up.

And yes, in all 4 instances fines had to be paid before they could go back to racing.

Don't make Torrence a martyr. Because he isn't one.

 

[Mike]

Ok ? Why you thinking he can't make it?

He can't make it like he would last year, he can still make it if he finishes in the top 10 though.

 

[vegasnitro]

Uh... Capps got fined 10k for punching Bazemore's lights out in Atlanta in 2006.

And both Bazemore and Mike Green got nicked (Green for $5k in 2012) for cursing officials, which is a violation of participant conduct code.

In 2009, John Force got hit for $10k for scrapping with Cruz at the big end when an official got bumped when he got in the middle of it trying to break it up.

And yes, in all 4 instances fines had to be paid before they could go back to racing.

Let's not forget Jerry Eckman, he took 15 years to pay his 25K fine, and he couldn't race until he did.

 

[Jimbo]

I guess it would be nice if there was another drag racing association where drag racers could go to when things like this happen.
Problem is the NHRA is the only game in town and your playing in their sandbox.

Jim Hill
www.nostalgicracingdecals.com