PRO MOD CREWCHIEF: DQ WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING
Sun, 2008-09-21 22:35
Joe Baker disqualified for supercharger infraction …
Jegs Pro Modified racer Joe Baker’s disqualification from the NHRA Fallnationals in Dallas, Tex., was the result of a misunderstanding, this according to his crew chief Chuck Ford.
During the off season, between 2007 and 2008, the NHRA put into effect supercharger rules closely mirroring those of the IHRA, mandating no billet blowers. Supercharger casings had to be fabricated in OEM material with an opening to not exceed 11-inches by 4.5-inches.
No such rule existed in 2007.
Before the first race of the 2008 season was run, the NHRA rescinded a portion of the rule thereby enabling teams to use a billet casing. Chuck Ford read the change to mean size restrictions had been waived as well.
Joe Baker disqualified for supercharger infraction …
Jegs Pro Modified racer Joe Baker’s disqualification from the NHRA Fallnationals in Dallas, Tex., was the result of a misunderstanding, this according to his crew chief Chuck Ford.
During the off season, between 2007 and 2008, the NHRA put into effect supercharger rules closely mirroring those of the IHRA, mandating no billet blowers. Supercharger casings had to be fabricated in OEM material with an opening to not exceed 11-inches by 4.5-inches.
No such rule existed in 2007.
Before the first race of the 2008 season was run, the NHRA rescinded a portion of the rule thereby enabling teams to use a billet casing. Chuck Ford read the change to mean size restrictions had been waived as well.
Ford learned the hard way, it hadn’t.
The four quickest Jegs Pro Modified qualifiers were spot checked for rule conformity at the Fallnationals. At that time, Ford learned the casing material portion of the rule was the only change.
The R2B2 team to which both Baker and Ford belong was notified of the violation and subsequent disqualification.
“No one out here knew we had an opening rule,” Ford thought. “We sure didn’t. I wouldn’t have brought the supercharger to the race if I knew it was wrong. Doing that would make no sense whatsoever. We weren’t cheating. We just had no idea the rule existed. I’ve never cheated in my life and I don’t intend to start now.”
Jimmy Rector, crew chief for Danny Rowe and Kirk Kuhns, had one of his cars inspected. He joined Ford as one of the crew chiefs who said he didn’t know that such a rule existed.
“I didn’t know there was a rule and half of the people out here didn’t either,” Rector added. His team was one of the four checked. His supercharger passed.
Up until he was checked, Rector anticipated being disqualified as well.
“All I knew is that I was going to be close. They sealed the blower [Saturday night] and I couldn’t check,” Rector added. “There were a few things that I misinterpreted.”
Rector confirmed that last year no such rules existed.
“I could see why Chuck got mixed up, about half of the crew chiefs I talked to didn’t know but then again the other half did,” Rector said. “No one could tell me what the rule was last night.”
The NHRA rules for the Pro Modified division are listed on the Jegs Pro Modified website, series sponsor. The rules for blower casing are located in one section and opening size in another.
Of the four cars checked only Baker's was disqualified
Jegs Pro Modified racer Joe Baker’s disqualification from the NHRA Fallnationals in Dallas, Tex., was the result of a misunderstanding, this according to his crew chief Chuck Ford.
During the off season, between 2007 and 2008, the NHRA put into effect supercharger rules closely mirroring those of the IHRA, mandating no billet blowers. Supercharger casings had to be fabricated in OEM material with an opening to not exceed 11-inches by 4.5-inches.
No such rule existed in 2007.
Before the first race of the 2008 season was run, the NHRA rescinded a portion of the rule thereby enabling teams to use a billet casing. Chuck Ford read the change to mean size restrictions had been waived as well.
Joe Baker disqualified for supercharger infraction …
Jegs Pro Modified racer Joe Baker’s disqualification from the NHRA Fallnationals in Dallas, Tex., was the result of a misunderstanding, this according to his crew chief Chuck Ford.
During the off season, between 2007 and 2008, the NHRA put into effect supercharger rules closely mirroring those of the IHRA, mandating no billet blowers. Supercharger casings had to be fabricated in OEM material with an opening to not exceed 11-inches by 4.5-inches.
No such rule existed in 2007.
Before the first race of the 2008 season was run, the NHRA rescinded a portion of the rule thereby enabling teams to use a billet casing. Chuck Ford read the change to mean size restrictions had been waived as well.
Ford learned the hard way, it hadn’t.
The four quickest Jegs Pro Modified qualifiers were spot checked for rule conformity at the Fallnationals. At that time, Ford learned the casing material portion of the rule was the only change.
The R2B2 team to which both Baker and Ford belong was notified of the violation and subsequent disqualification.
“No one out here knew we had an opening rule,” Ford thought. “We sure didn’t. I wouldn’t have brought the supercharger to the race if I knew it was wrong. Doing that would make no sense whatsoever. We weren’t cheating. We just had no idea the rule existed. I’ve never cheated in my life and I don’t intend to start now.”
Jimmy Rector, crew chief for Danny Rowe and Kirk Kuhns, had one of his cars inspected. He joined Ford as one of the crew chiefs who said he didn’t know that such a rule existed.
“I didn’t know there was a rule and half of the people out here didn’t either,” Rector added. His team was one of the four checked. His supercharger passed.
Up until he was checked, Rector anticipated being disqualified as well.
“All I knew is that I was going to be close. They sealed the blower [Saturday night] and I couldn’t check,” Rector added. “There were a few things that I misinterpreted.”
Rector confirmed that last year no such rules existed.
“I could see why Chuck got mixed up, about half of the crew chiefs I talked to didn’t know but then again the other half did,” Rector said. “No one could tell me what the rule was last night.”
The NHRA rules for the Pro Modified division are listed on the Jegs Pro Modified website, series sponsor. The rules for blower casing are located in one section and opening size in another.
Of the four cars checked only Baker's was disqualified
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