Thread: A Force ??

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The guy sorta forgotten in all this is John Medlen. I would bet that the replays in his head as he watched Ashley smackin' the wall would scare the most grizzled vet. Then to know that the head restraint system he developed for the cars worked for Ashley had to bring him a sense of relief, pride, and most likely remorse for not having done it sooner. Such are the lessons of life.

I think its pretty amazing to be able to jump in a fuel car with less than 10 years racing experience ,but I guess thats just me...

I guess with more experience she would be a lot better, but if she (or anyone else) needed to wait 20 years before making he jump, they might be past their prime with reflexes starting to diminish. I know there are a lot of older drivers still in racing, but it really is a younger person sport. For most, but not all, the quickness of the mind and body start to diminish with every passing year and at some point it seems like every passing day.

Get out there and do as much as you can when you are young so you don't regret it when you're old. I, for one, am glad she is in the sport, regarless of lineage. She's got her credentials and has paid her dues, no reason for her not to be there. Besides, she's much more pleasant to see and watch then her competitors.

I guess even with my prelim statement about thinking she will make it and all I shoulda figured the flames would still be turned up a bit.

MY POINT IS, if this were an average team that brought up an alky driver to learn the fuel FC ranks she would get the hook, be sent back down to the minors, period (at least in all likelyhood).

So if you wanna make me out to be the bad guy then lets go with that.

So I ask, what driver has started on arguably the best team with the best equipment and had more incidents in such a short time? Im not saying there isnt one but surely cant remember anyone with such an 'exciting' start.

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

I guess even with my prelim statement about thinking she will make it and all I shoulda figured the flames would still be turned up a bit.

MY POINT IS, if this were an average team that brought up an alky driver to learn the fuel FC ranks she would get the hook, be sent back down to the minors, period (at least in all likelyhood).

So if you wanna make me out to be the bad guy then lets go with that.

So I ask, what driver has started on arguably the best team with the best equipment and had more incidents in such a short time? Im not saying there isnt one but surely cant remember anyone with such an 'exciting' start.

Brandon Bernstein

I'll never deny that drivers like Ashley Force and Brandon get opportunities not available to others....and why not????? That's one of the reasons their fathers worked so hard to be at the top of their game, to make opportunities available for their kids that were not available to them!!!!! Isn't that what we all do? Maybe not it drag racing, that just happens to be the area where John Force and Kenny Bernstein both have became legends. My dad told me many years ago that if you make life better for your kids then it was for you, consider your life a success..... They both started their careers in drag racing the same as any other kids do. Just because their parents gave them opportunities not offered to the rest is because of their parents success. That's the way of life in any sport or business. Those who don't think it's fair or correct are usually suffering from a severe case of jealousy IMO.....

Brandon Bernstein, maybe?

Dave, you and I must have been thinking together.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Dave, you and I must have been thinking together.

If it happens again Ken...............seek professional help!

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

If it happens again Ken...............seek professional help!

Ummm. yeah Ken..... When your mind starts functioning like mine, you may want to be concerned!!!!!!!!

Yeh, must be something wrong. Over objections of the better half I've decided to tear into the Mustang and make it a project for me and my 11 year old grandson. And to think it's a FORD!

BB?

I think not.

So many 'incidents' within the same amount of time?

I doubt it. Someone would have to do some research but I'll bet his start wasnt so eventfull. The big butt banger against the wall comes to mind but what else? Im asking here.


Remember, I think all this experience in such a short time will pay off big time is she makes, meaning if they can build enough parts, chassis, etc.

I can't answer the question about what driver has had more problems at the start of their career, but I can answer the second part about making enough parts, chassis, etc. I do believe JFR has that ability. Between the sponsor's revenue, the racing revenues, the TV revenues and the family and business assets, I think JFR can carry her for a long, long time regardless of her skills. I suspect she will have to be the one to quit, before they quit on her. JM2cents.

Also, I don't think this thread has a bad guy. Just a healthy discussion by opiniated people who enjoy similar hobbies.

Originally Posted by mopar34

I think JFR can carry her for a long, long time regardless of her skills.

Thats funny!



Also, I don't think this thread has a bad guy. Just a healthy discussion by opiniated people who enjoy similar hobbies.

Thank you, just a little armchair quarterbacking, bench racing if you will. I mean lets face it, this drag racing forum can get a little dull at times so a throwing around of opinions cant be all that bad.

And if memory serves BB didnt destroy nearly as many cones or wall paint in as short a time.

This season it seems that even the masters are having a hard time keeping it to the track.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Though I haven't seen any footage of the crash that killed Eric Medlen and doubt that any of us ever will, I wonder how close in similarity her crash was to his? Point being that Eric had quite a bit of experience in contrast to Ashley. It's a dangerous sport, always has been and always will be. IMHO it's part of her learning curve which will continue as long as she drives. So many have come and gone before her and each and everyone of them have experienced crashes and/or burn downs. She will get better with each pass and will be a force (pun intended) to be reckoned with in the coming years.

The way I understand it by people that were there and close to JFR Eric was dead before he hit the wall. Still unsure but looks like a tire problem...... the car shook so hard and fast he did not have time to do anything. Basically shook his brain loose before he hit anything. Also was told many of the welds on the car broke before hitting the wall.

[QUOTE=Mike in Motown]BB?

I think not.

So many 'incidents' within the same amount of time?

I doubt it. Someone would have to do some research but I'll bet his start wasnt so eventfull. The big butt banger against the wall comes to mind but what else? Im asking here.

[/QUOTE

The flop over the wall that took him out and put Dad back in the car, was that his rookie year or second year.??? I do remember a few center cones, a couple early chutes, and some very poor pedaling when the track was bad!!!! Track in Seattle wasn't the best, as usual... There wer a lot of squirrely passes, even some from Pro Stock....

But I got to ask again.... If she wasn't John's daughter, would anyone even have noticed, let alone still be talking about it???? No matter what your family genetics are, a rookie is still going to make rookie mistakes. The good ones learn from them, the bad ones find a new job......