Upon Further Review, Johnson Wins Indy
Written by David Lamm · September 8, 2005
In the spirit of the NFL season kicking off tonight, the NHRA took a page from the gridiron to make things right. After Matt Smith was declared the winner of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Pro Stock Motorcycle category, the NHRA reversed the call and awarded the win to Steve Johnson. Apparently the timing mechanism in Johnson’s lane malfunctioned despite the ESPN replay clearly showed Johnson crossed the stripe first.
Dragracecentral.com: NHRA Overturns Matt Smith’s win at Indy
Indianapolis Star: Video prompts reversal by NHRA
The NFL has utilized instant replay for years and has tinkered with the technology to find the right balance. It seems to work well and the fans at the games (I am a season ticket holder for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers) and at home watching on television have embraced the inconvenience. It seems fans, players, coaches and team owners would rather spend the extra three minutes it takes to review the play and get it right than to let a call stand that could impact the outcome of the game. The NHRA should adopt this policy and apply it to all future races.
Horse racing has been using photo finishes for years. I have been at the race track and have had to wait nearly five minutes before the results became official. The wait was contingent on track officials reviewing photographs taken at the finish line. Now that the NHRA has a comprehensive television package it too can take advantage of this technology. Back in the days when the NHRA’s television package was spotty at best this would not be possible.
Kudos to the NHRA for making it right and reversing the decision in light of getting egg on their face. The fact remains the right guy won and will get his name in the record books, be awarded the trophy and more importantly, know that he won Indy. Winning the U.S. Nationals defines a drag racer’s career. It’s just too bad Johnson was unable to celebrate it the night it happened. Knowing Johnson the way I do, I am sure he will parlay his delayed party into a celebration that will last for the remainder of the season.
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