The Pedregon Brothers are still awaiting a response from NHRA President Tom Compton on their proposal to settle the controversy of the tenth and final berth in the Funny Car portion of the Countdown-to-One playoffs.

They propose the spot should be reopened by the NHRA to allow Cruz Pedregon, the defending series champion, to settle the controversy with a one-race playoff tiebreaker race with Robert Hight during the first session of qualifying at next weekend’s NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, N.C.

“Obviously there’s a lot of controversy surrounding this issue,” Cruz said. “Let’s face it. We were no longer in control of our destiny. We got beat I can accept that. The only thing I am disputing is the race that determined the top ten position. That’s where the spotlight needs to be, nothing more and nothing less. Everybody knew what was going to happen on that race before it happened. The Pedregon Brothers are still awaiting a response from NHRA President Tom Compton on their proposal to settle the controversy of the tenth and final berth in the Funny Car portion of the Countdown-to-One playoffs.

They propose the spot should be reopened by the NHRA to allow Cruz Pedregon, the defending series champion, to settle the controversy with a one-race playoff tiebreaker race with Robert Hight during the first session of qualifying at next weekend’s NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, N.C.

“Obviously there’s a lot of controversy surrounding this issue,” Cruz said. “Let’s face it. We were no longer in control of our destiny. We got beat I can accept that. The only thing I am disputing is the race that determined the top ten position. That’s where the spotlight needs to be, nothing more and nothing less. Everybody knew what was going to happen on that race before it happened.

“There’s controversy surrounding it, good bad or indifferent. We are in the entertainment business but I don’t feel we got a fair shot at the deal even though we lost. Let’s settle this in one run, if we get our ass handed to us then we get it handed to us. That No. 10 spot should be filled with the car that legitimately didn’t know what was going to happen until it crossed the finish line.”

Pedregon stood on the starting line of O’Reilly Raceway Park during the controversial semi-final match between John Force and team driver Robert Hight. Cruz alleged Force was a cheater for what he deemed as manipulating the outcome of the race. In the shutdown area, Force engaged in a shoving match with Cruz’s younger brother Tony.

Force told CompetitionPlus.com that the NHRA has the final authority over the matter, although he believes Hight rightfully earned the position.

“That would be up to the NHRA,” said Force. “Robert won his deal, did his thing … I beat Cruz and he had the opportunity to beat me. It is what it is, it’s settled. If NHRA chooses to throw Robert out … so be it. I don’t make the rules. When a sanctioning body makes the rules … unless it is something that jeopardizes safety … I ain’t gonna fight them on it.

“If you did that, then you’d have to put Hagan in it. I beat Cruz fair and square. He was out and Robert went on and beat me. That’s it. If someone can prove it different, then they can throw me out. If the NHRA wants to make a call then it is up to them. They make the rules. Would I be mad about it? I’d be furious.”   

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