Turmoil & Toss-ups
Written by Jory Elliott · July 6, 2006
Well it’s been, to say the least, a very interesting past couple of weeks in NHRA circles. Most of the action has occurred within the Pro Stock ranks leaving many questions and not a whole lot of straight answers.
The first domino to fall was the spilt between “Tricky” Rickie Smith and Richard Maskin. The Skull Gear team had been together for a couple seasons already and appeared to be making very steady progress and seemed to be on the brink of taking their first win of the season. Don Schumacher then proceeded to announce that Rickie would be joining his team and driving a third Dodge Stratus. But wait apparently that wasn’t the initial deal that Rickie had worked out with Don. As the story goes Rickie was to drive the SRT Mopar ( blue camo car) that Shaun Carlson currently drives. This was in an effort to get that car qualified and determine whether it was the driver or the car that was incapable of doing so. Once Shaun got wind of this he wasn’t having it and nor were the brass at Mopar so things quickly changed. Don then decided to lease a car from Kenny Koretsky and have Rickie pilot that machine. Well Rickie wasn’t having that. Ok confused by all the names yet? Yeah me too! But the story continues. So Rickie decides that he is going to return to the IHRA and compete there with help from Evan Knoll who hops right on board with him signing him to a sponsorship agreement. So now Rickie is taken care of and happy to be doing what he’s doing. But what will Don do?
The next move comes as a shock to everyone as Erica Enders announces that she will be leaving Victor Cagnassi Racing to campaign her own team under the Don Schumacher banner. Now I don’t know the details of this split but I find it extremely upsetting that Victor and Erica couldn’t at least stick out the season together to keep their very unique sponsor Slammer’s Milk Products in a top 5 or top 10 spot in the points. This again was another team just starting to hit its stride and was so near tasting the spoils of victory this season that it is truly a shame to see them part ways.
And the wheel turns more.
So from there Don Schumacher announces that Erica will indeed be joining his team but he also decides to set up another team thus increasing the number of Pro Stock teams he has under his wing to four.
Now this is the part that I find most interesting.
Shaun Carlson obviously can’t qualify his car in the show. Something is wrong there, undoubtedly. But when things are going tough most people would want to try and right the ship before moving on to larger plans. Instead Mr. Schumacher bucks conventional wisdom and proceeds to add two more teams that will have to utilize his fledgling motor program. To me it makes no sense whatsoever but who am I to judge the most powerful man in drag racing from a political standpoint. I mean who else can threaten to pull 11 cars out of the series if he doesn’t get what he wants.
Well all I can say is best of luck to all the teams as we head into the second part of the season and here’s to no regrets and good times as the wheels turn in the world of NHRA drag racing.
I had a lot of respect for Don Schumacher but several of his latest moves prove that more than doing the right thing, he’s interested in proliferating his empire over and above the good of the team.
Size does matter and that seems to be DS’s strategy, rather than dutifully putting the right program together. But judgment seems to be lacking (I know, strictly my opinion) with keeping somebody like Whit Bazemore, who obviously is a cancer in the system.
Don hasn’t proved yet that bigger is better, but we’ll see.
If ya can’t beat ‘em buy ‘em.
As far as Whit goes, How would we know good without bad for comparison?
Mr Schumacher is doing what he feels is right. As did Ron Capps when he slapped Whit. Those who know about Bazmore knows that Capps was right. Capps in my opinion is the BEST talent in motorsports. Mr. Schumacher would be very wise to keep Capps and dump Whit.
Just my 2 cents
Don Schumacher is building an empire, come hell or highwater. He’s been successful in all his business ventures and now has champions in Top Fuel and Funny Car plus is close with the bikes. He’ll do the right thing with his Pro Stock camp and eventually they’ll win too.
As far Whit, need more be said. Whit’s not happy and Capp’s not happy with Whit. Get rid of Whit, it’s simple.
Like all, Mega-Promoter’s, D. Schumacher has the biggest “pocketbook”. Does that make him right?? No, It’ll take time to sort how much his money really can buy. “Whit” and his daddy can take their “toys” and go home,Wasn’t that much of an impact when he came, would he really be missed???
Is Mr.Shumacher working with Bruten Smith to make the NHRA into another nascar?
Maybe the NHRA should limit owners to 2 teams in each pro class.
Nothing is wrong with fielding multiple cars in the same catagory, especially when every one of them is competitve enough to win an event. Look at the Force cars, Jack Rousch, etc. ALL of their cars are good. If someone does not like it, well bring a car out there and qualify it. the fastest 16 make it, period.
I have mixed feelings on the issues surrounding one owner having multiple car teams in access of two in each class. I feel as though this deserves it’s own topic so look for that article to hit the website this coming week. Thanks for all the feedback guys it is much appreciated.
Jory