He’s a part of the so-called John Force brain-trust. The one member, he says, who is the quiet guy sitting in the corner who offers his input from time to time.

That’s the world as Bernie Fedderly sees it. Brought in as a co-crew chief, i.e. extra set of eyes for Austin Coil in 1992, Fedderly now only assists current crew chief Mike Neff after the recent departure of Austin Coil.

“I just stay in the background and throw in my comments every once in a while when I’m not sleeping,” admits Fedderly.

Whomever Force brings in to fill the Coil vacancy, Fedderly is ready to mesh with the appointee, as well as Neff. The team is expected to make the announcement once they begin testing in February.

Fedderly says from his vantage point in the shadows, the ability of the team to work as an army of one, was the strength behind the 15th John Force title.

He’s a part of the so-called John Force brain-trust. The one member, he says, who is the quiet guy sitting in the corner who offers his input from time to time.

That’s the world as Bernie Fedderly sees it. Brought in as a co-crew chief, i.e. extra set of eyes for Austin Coil in 1992, Fedderly now only assists current crew chief Mike Neff after the recent departure of Austin Coil.

“I just stay in the background and throw in my comments every once in a while when I’m not sleeping,” admits Fedderly.

If Force brings in someone to fill the Coil vacancy, Fedderly is ready to mesh with the appointee, as well as Neff. Any announcement would most likely be made in the coming weeks or when the team is testing in February. At this this there has been no indication from JFR about any additional personnel changes.

Fedderly says from his vantage point in the shadows, the ability of the team to work as an army of one, was the strength behind the 15th John Force title.

“I think our talents complement each other somewhat,” said Fedderly. “I’m kind of into the people side of the deal. It’s the part of the business that I enjoy.”

Watching the science of the car and the camaraderie of his teammates has always been the selling point for Fedderly even though he doesn’t get dirt underneath the fingernails like he used to.

“There’s just so much interest in stuff going on all the time that I certainly don’t get bored,” Fedderly adds.

Being able to adapt to his surroundings has long been one of Fedderly’s strongest attributes, whether it involves the technical aspects or the personnel within his racing circle. Last December, when Force named Neff as the lead tuner on his Castrol Ford Mustang, Fedderly accepted the reorganization as a means of making a talent-laden team even better.

“I welcomed his addition to the program,” Fedderly says without hesitation. “We knew that we needed some fresh ideas and a little bit better approach. We also needed someone that was going to be living here in Indy who would be working with the teams on a direct day to day basis. That’s one of the areas that we were lacking in. Mike’s a very hands-on guy and has good rapport with the crew guys. That was something we agreed that we needed.”

But as positive as Neff’s addition was, Fedderly admits he’d be remiss if he didn’t point out the departure of Coil was a disappointment as much as it was a shock. The biggest disappoint is not in losing a valued member of the brain-trust as much as it was watching a longtime friendship between Coil and Force crumble before his eyes.

“I’m hopeful that one day they’ll be able to resolve their differences,” Fedderly said. “I don’t think the lines of communications are real open at the moment. Time has a way of smoothing over some stuff so it would be a real tragedy for a long term friendship like that to just dissolve all of a sudden.”

Coil’s departure might have come as a shock at the time, but it wasn’t a total surprise for Fedderly who has worked alongside the Chi-Town legend for the last 18 seasons. Over the years they built a special friendship where understanding one another came as second nature.

Fedderly knew there was a day coming when Coil would pursue his need to smell the roses. He just didn’t expect it two days after they celebrated winning the 15th championship.

“I really thought we all had our days when we vent a little about one thing or the other,” explained Fedderly. “I knew there were some things he wasn’t real happy about but on the other hand I didn’t know he was quite ready to fold his tent. He’s been doing this for a long time and stuff. But I also knew from our conversations that there are a lot of things he wants to do and he’s an avid motorcycle enthusiast. He wants to go tour Europe on a motorcycle and drive Ferrari’s or something. He always wanted to do that stuff. And the way our season is it’s not real conducive to taking a few weeks off in the winter and going over there and doing it.

“He [Coil] always said the only way he could make it work is if he didn’t work in drag racing. I think if he really does want to pursue some of those activities while he’s physically able then I can certainly sympathize with that situation.”

Fedderly readily admits he’s no spring chicken but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to call it a career yet. The passion burns for him today just as much as it did when he tuned Terry Capp to an improbable Top Fuel victory at the 1980 NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

“It’s kind of reaching the point where I have to give it a little bit of a consideration,” admitted Fedderly. “I don’t know if I’m exactly ready for it -- my wife says I’m certainly not ready to retire. She definitely wouldn’t be in favor of that. I’d drive her crazy I suppose. There’s a lot of interest in things that still can be delved into. I’m having fun.”

Part of his fun is ensuring future tuners are developed under his tutelage. One
of the lesser known facts of the 2010 season is that at one time or another both nitro championship tuners, Neff and Jason McCulloch, worked under his tutelage.

“Well in this organization I’m at the point where they [up and comers] are passing along stuff to me,” Fedderly admits. “We have got some real talented guys over here and of course some of the other teams do as well. There are some very good people in the sport. In the past we’ve been able to bring some people on but eventually they become the ones doing the teaching so it’s fun working with these younger guys and their enthusiasm.”

With the addition of Neff, Force and Coil both admitted the “youthful” addition inspired an extra spring in their step which in turn led to a world championship. Fedderly was moving a bit quicker too.

Fedderly has been a part of 13 of Force’s championships. He was a
championship tuner with Minor before joining Force. He’s watched the cagey veteran battle back from debilitating injuries to win a championship.

 “It was very exciting and we had a lot of fun this year,” Fedderly said. “The environment was good and it was kind of one of those special years. There was plenty of drama. It was exciting because it was so hotly contested. It was just one of those times where you just get a little magic.”

And for Fedderly, the magic is still lurking in the shadows.

 

 

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