MESA, Ariz. — A couple of recent NHRA penalties have taken attention away from the intriguing performance story lines and raised questions about the Tech Department’s judgment as well as its challenges.
In one swing through the Southeast, at Bristol, Tenn., and Richmond, the NHRA has hammered a couple of prominent teams for rules violations. The result has been costly for both those teams and for the NHRA – bad optics all around.
Following the fourth and final qualifying session of the Bristol event, officials discovered that six-time series champion Erica Enders’ Elite Motorsports Camaro was using beadlock wheels and inner/liner tires not permitted in the Pro Stock category. Her run was disqualified, and the sanctioning body imposed a $5,000 fine and docked her 100 championship points.
Moreover, the NHRA asserted in a prepared statement that “the Elite Motorsports team had a conversation with an NHRA official regarding this topic during the Epping [N.H.] event, and this rule was communicated to them at that time. By choosing to use these wheels and tires in Bristol, they demonstrated a willful disregard for the instruction given by NHRA.”
These wheels and tires were developed initially to provide increased sidewall support during launch and reduce the likelihood of tire shake. The NHRA explained that “the widespread adoption of this combination in other categories where wheel liners are legal demonstrates that the performance benefits of improved tire support outweigh the added weight.” So it ruled that Elite was using them for an illegal performance advantage.
Then, in a completely unrelated matter, at the Richmond race, the NHRA took away Shawn Langdon’s Top Fuel victory and awarded it about 24 hours later to Justin Ashley.
Reportedly the first time a winner was disqualified, at least in the past 30 years, this incident is a matter of unsecured bolts on the bellhousing inspection cover. According to the NHRA, “the cover is required to be secured by no less than 12 bolts,” and Langdon’s didn’t meet the requirements.
Obviously, loose bolts rattling around inside a race car rocketing down the race track at more than 330 mph is not a performance advantage, but the punishment was harsh. NHRA did not mention any fine and did not mention whether Langdon received any race-day points. But he didn’t get a winner’s 100 points.
To his credit, Team Kalitta General Manager Chad Head accepted responsibility: “Some of the bolts rattled loose during the run and fell into the belly pan. The bolts were in place before the run, but some were not in place after because they came loose and fell into the belly pan. That’s on us.”
He went on to say, “We respect NHRA as the sanctioning body and understand that safety is always the most important thing. We certainly apologize to our corporate partners, the race fans and our fellow competitors. We did not win yesterday’s race, but we’re moving on and are now focused on the next race.”
Why it took the NHRA 24 hours to make a decision is unclear? Competition Plus’ Bobby Bennett blamed part of the problem on the tech department being understaffed, likening it to a Major Leage Baseball game or National Football League game that was missing an umpire/referee or two. But that’s being generous.
Besides, stuff happens when a 12,000-horsepower car launches with 5Gs and in less than four seconds halts at negative 5Gs – things come loose. It shouldn’t have cost Langdon his victory. And if it did, he shouldn’t have had to stew for 24 hours.
Also at Bristol, members of Greg Anderson’s and Elite Motorsports’ Pro Stock teams received a formal warning following a verbal and physical altercation at the base of the tower that stemmed from Enders’ penalty.
The NHRA levied no fines and deducted no penalties but issued a threat of disciplinary action if it occurs again. A spate of assorted technical infractions have been charged to a handful of teams. Who knows if the rules violations are intentional or simply oversights? Either way, teams need to be careful, and the sanctioning body needs to be even-handed.
Things aren’t always perfect for crews, drivers, or the NHRA tech department. But in some instances, like these, the poor optics could be avoided.
