NHRA fines Force $10,000
NHRA has fined racing icon John Force for his actions during a post-round race argument with fellow competitor and former teammate Tony Pedregon.
Here's the release:
NHRA levies fine against John Force
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Funny Car racer John Force has been fined $10,000 by the NHRA for an incident involving physical contact with an NHRA official on Monday, Sept. 7 during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.
Videotape from the event showed Force making physical contact with an NHRA official at the top end of the race track during a confrontation with fellow Funny Car driver Tony Pedregon. Such physical contact violates the Participant Conduct policy as stated in the 2009 NHRA Rulebook. The fine, which can be appealed by Force, must be paid in full prior to participation at any future NHRA event.
Tony is a crybaby how soon he has forgotten that both Cruz and Force "thrown" races in order to make him World Champion in the past-------granted this incident occurred in Indiana ------had it happened in California , Tony and Cruz would have been guilty of a misdemeanor arrestable offense-------section 415.1 of the California Penal Code "words or actions likely to result in a violent reaction"
Sorry, can't agree with that. When Tony was an EMPLOYEE of JFR he couldn't speak up for the "diving" because he was just a small pawn in the operation and had be concerned about feeding his family. But now as an independent owner, he can speak his mind, and with the inside info of what he experienced at JFR. I respect John, but I don't respect this aspect of racing. I understand why it goes on, but don't like it.
I can remember a few years ago, where this high school baseball coach realized he had used a pitcher in a tournamnet one more inning than he is allowed to win the tournament. He checked his numbers again, and realized he violated the rule, so he called the tournament director and told him they would have to forfiet and would be sending the trophy back. He just couldn't win that way. True, there were no sponsors to support, but it was nice that some still want to do it the right way.
I have no problem with what Tony, Cruz or even John saying in the heat of battle, because that happens. But like I said, I don't repsect the act of diving, especially when it was so obvious when you look at the video tape.
F petregon I love ahsley Force u dolt