Why wasn't Force shut off on the line?

[.]

You're missing the point.
Wilk is left on the line waiting. You can see something is going on.
You don't think someone's attention is drawn to the underside of that car as it stages?
If you saw it, what would you have done? Shut it off or send it?

If it had been a DSR car, you guys would be roasting it/them on a spit! True or false?

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Is there an echo in here?

I'm sorry Brian,
I was speaking of personal experiences I have encountered while racing our cars. Maybe I should have contained my remarks to the pros.

 

[fifty50]

Two races in and already a Force haters vs. lovers thread,I love it! Don't know if the car should have been shut off or not,but I bet had it been a lesser team it would have. While I'm at it just let me say after tonights show thank God for mute buttons. Someone please tell me they're not going to have Force miked babbling about subjects not related to drag racing. John Force on the academy awards??!! AAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH! Unfortunately I was popping corn and a cold one and couldn't get to the remote in time to avoid that one. Sheesh!

 

[.]

Two races in and already a Force haters vs. lovers thread,I love it!

LOL
Technically, it's just one A-hole vs. the lovers. Just having some fun.

-Paul, a55hole.

 

[.]

You're missing the point.

No, I'm not.

Wilk is left on the line waiting. You can see something is going on.

It sucks that Wilk was stuck waiting, I've been a fan of his since before it was cool. However, he isn't the first (or last for that matter) driver that had to wait for another team to get their car ready. It happens from time to time and thats racing. Go ask Tim if he's pissed about having to wait.... I'm pretty sure you already know that answer.

You don't think someone's attention is drawn to the underside of that car as it stages?

Absolutely, but how could anyone predict that it would leak again after the hit of the throttle.... by that time it's too late to shut the car off.

If you saw it, what would you have done? Shut it off or send it?

It depends how long it took for the team to get it fixed.... or in this case THINK they had it fixed. I personally didn't see any favoritism today. See, you're under the assumption that I dislike the Schumacher cars, and you're wrong. I like most of his teams and if this would have happened to Ron Capps or Jack Beckman my story would be the same! From what I saw on TV today, I'd send it!

If it had been a DSR car, you guys would be roasting it/them on a spit! True or false?

I can't speak for others on here but see my above post.... I like all Schumacher FC teams AND the Force teams. Shocking, I know!

I'm sorry Brian,
I was speaking of personal experiences I have encountered while racing our cars. Maybe I should have contained my remarks to the pros.

Thats not what I meant Mr. Miller. I was just commenting how your post and my post had several similarities thats all.

Two races in and already a Force haters vs. lovers thread,I love it!

I'm neither!

Both cars involved in today's incident could have been painted completely white with NO driver names on either car and my opinion would still be the same. The car that leaked was still allowed to make his pass because they thought the team had the leak fixed.

 

[Bross Hawg]

"You're correct! They weren't! Why not? Where's the safety? Coulda T-boned Wilk.

If it was you, would you send the car down?

And like I said in another thread, tip of the cap to Mike Neff and John Medlen.
2 good guys with many wins in their futures."

Actually, I've been there, and yeah, if the crew chief says send it, ya send it. As a crew guy, if we saw a problem we tried to fix it without bringing too much attention to officials on the starting line. The crew chief is the boss. Just like with AJ and shoe, it was AJ's a55, not the crew for making that decision. If there is a problem, show the chief, let him make the call. That's why he gets the big bucks...

 

[BlueStangGT]

Lastly, Rick Stewart's satisfaction actually IS the last word on the track from the sanctioning body prior to the run taking place...

Good point. And as such, he is the one who ultimately let Shoe make that pass in Pomona when he got out of the way and let him stage.

 

[Tim5636sc]

Oh...well two things.
.1: like 'the doc' said above all fuel cars leak a bit of fuel up there. You will notice that two NHRA safety safari members walk next to the car. One with a mop, for cleaning up any fuel leaked, and one with a rag, to get any drips of oil.
2: forces fuel leak was fixed.. To rick's satisfaction. After the whole Army thing at the finals...MR STEWART IS VERY CLEAR TO MAKE SURE NOTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS AGAIN.
The car was safe paul...its all good.

 

[BaldyLochs]

Didn't we talk about this last season, but only then it was Capps who was squirtin' go juice up there? I tend to agree - in today's day & age, with all those eyes up there in the heat of the moment, you'd think that cooler heads would prevail and any one of those guys - including the driver - would make the call in a heartbeat to shut it down if therey thought there was even the slightest risk of hurting someone.

Hell, I'm more surprised NHRA doesn't have some way to triple-charge the team for wasting such and such ounces of Nitromethane and demanding payment on the spot !

 

[Chuck]

I am as big a fan of Force as anyone else is, BUT, he should have been shut off. A leak is a leak! I don't care if it's fuel, water, oil, pee or anything else. It took too much time to try to fix it, and I mean try, because it wasn't fixed. It looked like it was still dripping pretty good as he rolled up to stage. That wasn't a little drip here and there, that was a major leak and could have caused a huge wreck. If you have any experience with nitro, you know that it doesn't evaporate and dry up like gas or alcohol does. I can guarantee you if that had been an independent or a sportsman car they would have been shut down. Been there done that!

 

[Lori]

Did anyone notice the one 'Oscar' interview done with John at the trailer where there was a Powerade cooler/drink dispenser in the trailer door? I wonder if that will be replaced any time soon or if they will just spin it around so the Powerade signage is gone? It was in plain sight the entire time. Kinda funny I thought.