Thoughts on Veteran Drivers Returning to NHRA Competition
Written by David Lamm · September 2, 2006
You know it is the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals not only because it is Labor Day weekend but also because everyone and their brother have a press conference announcing something. This year is no different with three veteran drivers of the NHRA, Kenny Bernstein, Tom Hammonds and Jeg Coughlin Jr., all announcing they will return to driving in 2007. As you might expect I have mixed feelings on some of these decisions.
NHRA.com: Hammonds will return to Pro Stock racing in 2007
NHRA.com: Coughlin to return to Pro Stock in Slammers Cobalt
NHRA.com: Kenny Bernstein to return to competition in 2007 in Funny Car
When seeing these headlines as they cascaded across the NHRA’s front page of their website in the same order they appear above, my reactions was, ‘Good!’, ‘Awesome!’ and ‘WHAT!?!’. The one that baffled me was the Bernstein decision. When he retired and went on his ‘Forever Red’ Farewell Tour, Bernstein had cited that he had accomplished all he needed to in the world of drag racing and really wanted to make way for his son Brandon to drive the Bud King Dragster. The elder Bernstein also said he wanted to concentrate on the business side of being a team owner and he was stretched too thin with duties of team owner and driver. Kenny was forced back in the driver’s seat after Brandon’s horrific crash in Englishtown, NJ in 2003. Kenny then gave up the seat to Brandon in 2004 and has kept his license current with select testing sessions following NHRA national events.
Although I am sure Kenny Bernstein still has the drive and the knack for driving a nitro Funny Car, I am questioning the timing. I understand the rationale behind coming out of retirement the first time. Choosing to jump back into a Funny Car under a new sponsorship might taint Bernstein’s legacy. When mentioning the all-time great drivers in NHRA, Kenny Bernstein’s name is always in the mix. I am afraid that Kenny might underestimate the layoff he has had and could easily mar his impeccable driving record with poor performances. We all are aware of Bob Glidden’s failed come back attempt in 2003. After just three races Glidden got out of the car and never got back in one although he has returned to the NHRA in a crew chief capacity. I am not making a prediction that Kenny Bernstein will have the same results but the risks are greater than the reward. Many a time athletes don’t know when to call it quits. Willie Mays will always have those lasting images of him stumbling around in the outfield forever marring his great legacy of being a great baseball player. I am afraid we will witness the same thing this upcoming football season with Brett Favre refusing to retire after last season’s disastrous results. I hope I am wrong and Kenny Bernstein picks up where he left off. I think the risk of failing in this highly competitive class and forever leaving a black mark on a wonderful career far outweigh feeding that competitive spirit.
As for the two Pro Stockers that are coming back, this is wonderful news not only for the Pro Stock class but for the NHRA as well. Anytime a former champion like Jeg Coughlin comes back to compete while he is still in the prime of his career is good news. Although Coughlin has been racing in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for a few years it is about time he returned to Pro Stock. For Hammonds, the NHRA should be doing cartwheels over this announcement. Hammonds left NHRA competition to focus on his Chevrolet dealership in Florida. I am assuming the dealership is off the ground and can now afford for Tom to be back on the Pro Stock circuit. Hammonds offers the double whammy when it comes to being a media darling. First and foremost, he is a former professional basketball player. Anytime you can take a mainstream, stick and ball athlete and bring them to drag racing, the media will follow. Also, being an African-American, you know media attention will also come. I know and I am the first to admit that gender and skin color should not play a factor in if a driver receives attention but we all live in the real world and know it does. Just look at Danica mania over in the IRL or the frenzy of a black driver like Bill Lester or Willie T. Ribbs bring to NASCAR. Hammonds has shown when given the right backing and the right parts, he can be very competitive.
Here’s hoping all three veteran drivers experience great success upon their return to the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. More drivers and tight competitive racing can only be a good thing. On a side note, looks like the newly announced ‘Countdown to the Championship’ hasn’t scared these racers off. In light of these three popular drivers returning to the NHRA, I am curious to hear what the nay sayers and saying now.
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Isn’t it Kenny’s decision? If he still wants to drive. If he still has the desire, it is his right. If he doesn’t care about tarnishing his legacy, why should anyone else? As long as he is competitve in the car, it doesn’t matter if he isn’t winning every week.. If he makes the show on a regular basis .. It won’t tarnish my view of him at all .. I am actually jealous that he gets to do what he wants to do .. Good for him.
I agree that it is Kenny’s decision and no one elses. But like the Snake said, you go to a huge effort to promote die casts and “Forever Red” collectibles (to make $$ and he did) and then come back to do it all over. Make a decision and stick with it. I don’t have a tarnished view of him, he loves competition but he should of thought about that prior to hanging them up in the first place. Now he is planning on running the “Forever til I’m Dead” tour.