10/29/07

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Well, let’s begin with the laughing part. John was in Las Vegas, the first time he’s been at a national event since the accident in Dallas. He’s still wheelchair-bound and has a while to go before he can climb back into his Castrol Mustang, but based on the reaction from the fans at the Strip, his attendance was the high point of the weekend for more than just the team.

Now, for the crying part. Where do I begin?

Robert fell in the first round. So did newly-licensed Mike Neff. And Phil Burkart who was pinch-hitting for John, got upended in Round 2.  Just like that, three out of the four JFR cars were out of action. Kaput. And Mike Neff’s huge explosion during his loss to Jeff Arend in the first round rattled everyone’s nerves.

For Robert, stumbling in Round 1 may not have been such a major disaster to his championship hopes had all of the other Countdown to One contenders lost in Round 1 as well. Two of them obliged: Ron Capps and Gary Scelzi. But old JFR graduate Tony Pedregon won the race, and now Robert is looking at a 99-point deficit to make up in Pomona next week if he hopes to somehow track down Tony.

Can we get back to the laughing part again?

Ashley was brilliant in Vegas. Man, she is the total package. She didn’t win the race and I know she could kick herself for getting beaten by Tony in the final on a holeshot but that girl made history just by advancing to the final round. No other female Funny Car driver in NHRA history has made it that far on a national event race day, but let’s be honest—we knew it wouldn’t be long before Ashley took care of that bit of business.

And here’s something else that should be mentioned. There are no other teams in the category which have been withstanding the kind of relentless pressure and grueling demands that the JFR bunch has been dealing with for essentially the entire season. The latest issues revolve around the concerns which surfaced after John’s accident with regard to chassis and tire analysis. There has been no rest for the weary as John’s technical team headed by Austin, Bernie, John M., and Jimmy continue their determined efforts in increasing the safety of the 8000-horsepower projectiles they race. And yet, through it all, Robert has been squarely poised for the title run and Ashley has fought through the constant turmoil of her rookie season with maturity and phenomenal composure.

Recently, the NHRA mailed out Rookie of the Year ballots to numerous members of the drag racing media on which they are to vote for their choice for 2007’s Road to the Future Award winner. I guess you won’t have to ponder endlessly as to whom I cast my vote for. In my opinion, my vote will be only one amongst a landslide which will be cast for the driver we all concur has earned that accolade both on and off the dragstrip.

Next weekend, I’ll be jetting off to Pomona to enjoy the concluding event of the 2007 NHRA POWERade season, the Auto Club Finals in Pomona. Everyone needs to keep their fingers crossed for Robert and keep those hopes alive for a miracle comeback at Auto Club Raceway and another POWERade title returning to Yorba Linda.

After the race, I’ll have more from In the Groove right where you are so until then, please buckle up and drive safely!