Thread: A Force ??

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MIKE NEFF???????????

MIKE NEFF?????

Now I understand the mechanic turned driver thing as a positive but from what I heard on the tube he took 'a squirt' in Selzi's car and has motocross and GO KART EXPERIENCE?????????????? THATS IT?????????

I know Medlin and Height had little experience in the seat but not sure if they had this little, maybe so. Does John not like to pay drivers so he hires rooks?

You mean to tell me there were no candidates in the alky or pro mod ranks, or in drag racing, period?

Does this speak to the legitimacy of pro FC drivers spot against the worlds greatest drivers in other types of racing?

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

MIKE NEFF???????????

MIKE NEFF?????

Now I understand the mechanic turned driver thing as a positive but from what I heard on the tube he took 'a squirt' in Selzi's car and has motocross and GO KART EXPERIENCE?????????????? THATS IT?????????

I know Medlin and Height had little experience in the seat but not sure if they had this little, maybe so. Does John not like to pay drivers so he hires rooks?

You mean to tell me there were no candidates in the alky or pro mod ranks, or in drag racing, period?

Does this speak to the legitimacy of pro FC drivers spot against the worlds greatest drivers in other types of racing?

And, from my own experiences as a car owner....It's often a lot easier to teach a driver how you want things done then it is to re-educate a guy with a lot of experience who thinks his way is right...!!!!!! Robert Hight was one of John's mechanics, he seems to have learned his lessons quite well!!! I for one am all for new blood in the sport, tired of seeing the same names every week in Nat. Digger!!!! I would congratulate John from promoting within his own company rather then entering some sort of bidding war for a hired gun!!!! If you have ever had a driver in one of your cars and tried to teach him your way of doing things........I think you would better understand John's logic.... With a record like his, seems others would copy John rather then put him down for his tactics!!!!! Let's give some deserving people a shot at being the driver!!!! Sounds like a most excellent tactic for hiring and keeping good help!!!!!!

PS, I would imagine Mr. Neff will go through the same training as Robert and Ashley have.....Meaning he too will be a rookie, make rookie mistakes and learn from them!!!! I can't think of anyone more qualified then John Force to be a trainer and coach for a new driver in funny car!!!!

.............and besides all that, think of the strategy of robbing a significant competitor (Schumacher) of a high quality crew chief, which in turn motivated a proven competitor (Scelzi) to choose a "sabatical"!

[QUOTE=Dave Severson]Let's give some deserving people a shot at being the driver!!!! QUOTE]



Cmmon Dave! I gotta say this sounds like disagreeing just to do so. I thought someone would respond with some facts of past drag race experience that wasnt mentioned on tv yesterday. Hey why not pick some good looking 'mug for tv' off the street. hey wait John, let me finish my beer and I'll give it a shot.(ok my mug doesnt qualify)

I see the advantage of hiring a crew chief to drive but having NO EXPERIENCE on the strip (assuming thats true) is an advantage?

Far be it for me to question the great John Force but it seems strange to not pick from a pool of drivers with experience (you know there are some out there) in the lower ranks that certainly did more to EARN a shot.

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

I thought someone would respond with some facts of past drag race experience that wasnt mentioned on tv yesterday.

I'm not sure what examples the TV guys gave, but a few that pop to mind in recent history are Kurt Johnson, Greg Anderson, and, in turn, Jason Line. In FC Hight and E. Medlin. My guess would be that these guys, as well as others, have some level of driving experience in lower classes sometime in their history. Haven't heard anything about Neff, but the same could be true for him. I'm sure this isn't the only thread in the world to exclaim some angst about the choice, so we're likely to get to know more about Mike Neff than we may even care to know (when they get to telling us what kind of toilet paper he prefers that will be the sign it's gone too far).

In years past we've had lots of examples that went the other way too. Ed "The Ace" was a driver for many years before putting on the CC hat, as did Dale Armstrong just to name a couple. Again, these guys probably spent their earlier years as "amateurs" who did it all for their own operation.

I was leaving the door(mind) open for someone to chime in with "oh ya, he ran comp or alky car back in the day". What I wasnt expecting is the blessing of some that figure its ok to grab any dude and stick him/her in top level NHRA pro class. Assuming he doesnt have any seat time doesnt this speak to the 'legitimacy' of the current situation? Something that the NHRA outwardly strives for and uses NASCAR as a benchmark?

I just dont buy the 'start from scratch' theory, period.

Neff's bringing some cash to the table or John thinks his magic touch can turn anyone into a winning pro and doesnt wanna pay an extablished driver.

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

I just dont buy the 'start from scratch' theory, period.

Why don't you try telling that to Garlits, Kalitta, Prudhomme, Eddie Hill, Shirley Muldowney, Fred Stone, Leonard Woods, amongst others?

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Why don't you try telling that to Garlits, Kalitta, Prudhomme, Eddie Hill, Shirley Muldowney, Fred Stone, Leonard Woods, amongst others?

First of all many of these drivers had experience before running a fuel car so im not sure what you mean here. Secondly it was a different era performance wise and there wasnt a big talent pool to choose from YET!

Also, rules were made in a reactionary fashion, on the fly so to speak. According to most here it seems like the NHRA hasnt changed its rules much as far as driver qualifications go since the days of running in T-shirt and thats the way they like it.

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

I was leaving the door(mind) open for someone to chime in with "oh ya, he ran comp or alky car back in the day". What I wasnt expecting is the blessing of some that figure its ok to grab any dude and stick him/her in top level NHRA pro class. Assuming he doesnt have any seat time doesnt this speak to the 'legitimacy' of the current situation? Something that the NHRA outwardly strives for and uses NASCAR as a benchmark?

I just dont buy the 'start from scratch' theory, period.

Neff's bringing some cash to the table or John thinks his magic touch can turn anyone into a winning pro and doesnt wanna pay an extablished driver.

I doubt that. John can afford to hire anyone he wanted.... But why???? So you can try to teach someone with a bunch of habits the Force way of doing things???? And have to fight and argue with him to get things done the way you want them done??? Maybe, just maybe John actually wants to give a young guy who's been working his butt off on the crew a shot at being a driver!!!!! What a strange concept!!!! Helping someone rather then just using them as a stepping stone to get where you want to be!!!! He did it with Robert Hight and it seems to be paying some good dividends!!!!! If you don't buy the starting from scratch theory on driver's, it's because you haven't had a hired driver in your car!!!! I've had a few... One was a very good driver, used to running his own car and doing things his way...he lasted 3 weekends and we sent him packing. I wasn't ready to change our operation to suit him!!! I would imagine hiring a professional, established driver is much the same, only to a far greater degree!!!!

John does a lot of things in an unconventional manner. He does things his way!!! With the record John has, far be it for me to question his choice for a driver!!!!!