:::::: Feedback ::::::

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - 99.9% GOOD MEMORIES

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JERRY ECKMAN IS READY TO TALK

I always liked Jerry Eckman and still do. They were always low funded and still managed to be players. I agree that they weren't the only ones to use nitrous but they got caught. One team won a couple of championships with it. The problem is that they were the only ones to have a tank explode and end up in someone else's pit. It might not be fair but NHRA had to make a strong statement and unfortunately it landed on Jerry's shoulders. If he says that it was never hooked up and it was the first time it was on the car, I believe him. The problem is it's like being a little bit pregnant, no such thing. We've all had bad stuff happen but looking in the rear view mirror is an exercise in futility. We all get to different phazes in life and can't do what we used to do. Every morning my 60 year old body argues with my 30 year old brain. Enjoy your new role as a crew guy. I was just glad to hear your name last year with Koretsky. I enjoyed telling my wife that you were one of the old school guys that ran right with the heavy funded teams. You still have a lot of fans Jerry who unfortunately are in the silent majority. Thanks for the memories, 99.99999% good ones. - Bruce Prater, Sandpoint Idaho 

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - IT'S A SHAME

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JERRY ECKMAN IS READY TO TALK

The story about Jerry Eckman was very, very good. Very well written. It’s such a shame how it all happened. I am only 18, so when that sad day happened, sadly I had no idea what was going on. The Columbus national event is the closest big race to me, and I believe I made my first national event the year or two after that day. It is such a shame that Jerry has to face the ridicule and hardship that he has. Of course there are two sides to every story, but if this is truly what happened, then it’s really to fair.

But I just wanted to let you know I loved the article! Thank you for having such a great site out there. -Ryan Bursa, Beavercreek, OH.

 

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - TIMES HAVE CHANGED

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JERRY ECKMAN IS READY TO TALK

I guess times have really changed since all this happened...You can be Tony Schumacher and cheat your way to qualifying at the finals in Pomona, but Eckman is branded for life. Unfair eh? And I am surprised the higher up's in NHRA did not take the money & settle this, because you know they love to line their pockets with everyone else's money. An unfortunate situation. Let Jerry get part of his life back. – Kay Morales, Laguna Beach, CA.

We’re not suggesting anything by stating that all fines levied by NHRA are paid into the organization’s General Fund.  They are not  used to boost a points fund, increase an event purse or (the scenario  we prefer) or they given to a worthy charity like DRAW, the Drag  Racing Association of Women. – Ed.

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - CHEATING WORKS FOR NASCAR

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JERRY ECKMAN IS READY TO TALK

Guilty or not enough already. NASCAR teams cheat all the time or bend the rules as they say, but NASCAR is smart enough to not cut their own noses off to spite their face. If the car did not compete, then where is the foul. You can't cheat until you race. NHRA holier than thou is the one of the big reasons they still can not be considered and important top sport by the media. Check any multi-sports web page. NASCAR is there but not NHRA. - Bob Sines, Oak Harbor, WA.

The one thing we definitely like about the NASCAR policy regarding rules violations is that they level sometimes massive fines and often  include points reductions in the punishment process, but actual  suspensions from competition are almost unheard of.  Pay the fine and  swallow the points reduction on Saturday night, and race on Sunday 
afternoon.  Suspensions usually accomplish only one thing – they drive a team right out of racing. – Ed.
 

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - POLITICIANS?

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JERRY ECKMAN IS READY TO TALK

I'm glad that Jerry finally came forward with the facts of this incident, and it's typical how NHRA screwed him over, while ignoring the obvious. Every racer (and most fans) knew that the Dodge boys were "squeezing" but nothing was done, and when they got backed into a corner... well, we know what happened next. Also, their star driver gets busted on serious drug charges, and yet gets to come back after some tearful apologies.  What a bunch of B.S.

I don't know if I should admire Jerry for protecting his friend all these years and not coming out with this right at the beginning, or just call him dumb, but I truly believe he's a victim here.. 

I'm to the point where I trust NHRA as much as I trust the majority of politicians.  The mass cover-ups of anything negative and turning a blind eye to the obvious, all the while pillaging our pocketbooks to pay themselves ridiculous salaries, makes me ill. What did they do with the money they collected in fines??   Just when do these people have to be held accountable for "their actions?"

I certainly hope Jerry gets another chance to drive with a quality car. If he fails, then that's not due to lack of heart. Good luck Jerry. - Dale Posnick, Maple Ridge B.C.

Remember, Darrell Alderman served a two-year suspension following his public admission to drug use. – Ed.
 

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - EVERYONE ELSE WAS DOING IT

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JERRY ECKMAN IS READY TO TALK

 

I have been an avid fan of Pro Stock since as long as I can
remember and I remember when the Eckman incident happened. To all that followed
PS there was NO doubt that the dodge boys were spraying nitrous, although they
were never caught there were several instances including the one of the hood scoop
fire that caused many except the NHRA to raise an eyebrow. The break in and
damaged to their engines that took place was a story that none of us believed.
I do believe Eckman was wrong, he as a driver and representative of PS should
have stood his ground and not drove that day but I understand that if he was
under contract there could have been legal issues. He would have gained the
respect of SOO many by publicly refusing to cheat that I feel it actually might
have helped his career. Has he paid his dues, most definitely. I as a NHRA fan
feel that his license should be re-instated and he should be given the opportunity
to earn back his dignity.

As far as the people in the bar pointing and yelling at him, the world is full
of people who hold others to far higher standards than they hold themselves, I
say if you haven’t walked a mile in his shoes you should keep your comments and
ridicule to yourself, after all we are adults here right? - Rick Irvin, New Braunfels, TX


 What actual, physical
proof can you offer that the Dodge boys were 
using nitrous?  Were there suspicious goings on with those
cars?  


Most assuredly, there appeared to be some really weird things going  on, but proving anything is another matter entirely.  That, in a 
nutshell, is the problem.  It’s like accusing a stick ‘n ball
athlete 
of using steroids or HGH.  The “evidence” might be right before our  eyes (suddenly bulging muscles and weight gain, a larger head, 
shrunken testicles [Ugh!]), but that still doesn’t PROVE the use of 
those banned substances, and it’s the same with nitrous. – Ed.

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - ECKMAN DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - JERRY ECKMAN IS READY TO TALK

I would say, give the man a chance. As far as I
can recall both Ford and Dodge teams were suspected to race with nitrous,
however no investigations nor penalties have been laid on these teams. Or was
it just to keep the brand diversity in the class? And since Mr. Eckman was not
the main driver for GM, it was just the perfect 'scapegoat' as he calls it, for
the NHRA for its image towards the public.

I would like to hear some commentary from the NHRA about these incidents. -
Rignald Martis, Aruba

No Ford or Dodge team was ever officially
caught or sanctioned for the use of nitrous oxide.  Eckman wasn’t a
scapegoat, he was merely the registered driver of the car whose oil tank
exploded because of the insertion of a nitrous bottle.  NHRA did all
the commenting they’re going to make after the incident, when they
reported their scientific proof that nitrous had been involved with the
explosion. –  Ed.

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - REMEMBERING MIKE

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - REMEMBERING MIKE AIELLO 

My mother called me this weekend and told me of Mike's passing away.  I was very
sorry to hear of his passing on.  Years ago, and I do mean like 30 years ago, I
used to babysit Mike Aiello.  There were alot of families that moved from St.
Louis to Houston with Shell Oil Company.  Our families would get together and
play bridge and the kids would stay home.  I would babysit Mike and his brother,
several times.  I remember how nice and warm Mike was even as a young child and
a young man.  Thank you for a very nice tribute and I really enjoyed reading all
the articles. - Charlene Huskey, Pittsburg, KS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - 94% OR BUST

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - MERCHANT OF MEMORIES 

Stories like the one in Dale Smith, from the January 3rd edition of Comp.Plus,
are heartwarming and smile inducing.  So much is embodied in Smith's quest to
resurrect the old Plymouth body:  The nostalgic emotion, the creative touch,
the perseverence, the notion ofthe phrase, "necessity being the mother of
invention", all combine to make this worthy of a quick note.  Please keep us
posted.  Or have Dale keep us in the loop.   Let Dale know that if he
needs to run that "bitch on nothing less than 94%",  I'm good for a few bucks
on a drum of nitro. - Richard Gebhart, Marin City, MI.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEEDBACK FRIDAY - LIONS MEMORIES

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - When the Lions Roared

This is one of the most informative articals I have ever read. Having devoted
most of my life to racing and the racing industry and having the opportunity to
race at Lions only once, just before it closed, I learned a lot about people
that I have know for a long time, but never new  their hisory associated with
Lion's.

Thanks for a piece of history that is important to all drag
racers. - Ray Motes, Grandview, MO.
 

Pages