Driver Change Pomona?

Tracey Harrington · 11-14-2008, 10:00 PM

Jim was curious how Mike Crutchfield is able to drive Lee Sharp's SS car. Mike was not entered and Lee was. We thought you can't do a driver change unless an emergency( medical or family). Lee is feeling well enough to drive comp!

thomas sheehan · 11-14-2008, 11:22 PM

Tracey

I think I can guess what happened.

Mike Crutchfield still has a chance of being in the top ten of SS.... so the rules say that he can enter even if the field is full. I do not see his name on the entry list... but I am not sure how accurate that list is.

By the way... he won the first two rds and needs two more rds to make the top ten (if jeff lane doesn't win the race and pass him and a few others also).

just a guess
tom sheehan

Tracey Harrington · 11-15-2008, 12:22 AM

We know that Mike could enter because of having a chance to finish in the top 10 even if the class was full. If he had entered by the 3pm deadline on Monday then his name should be on the list. Jim was told by California that no matter what you have to enter by 3pm Monday. I guess they bent the rules!

Just Observing · 11-15-2008, 01:34 PM

Driver-change policy: NHRA is implementing the following policy to accommodate racers who experience an unforeseen circumstance that prevents him or her from continuing in competition at an event (i.e. medical problem, personal tragedy, etc.). Driver changes will not be accepted prior to an event; all driver changes must be completed at the site of the national event entered. The original registered entrant must present the vehicle for technical inspection. Should a driver be unable to continue in competition after completing the technical inspection, the original entrant must present the reason for the driver change to a division director or the event director, who will determine whether to allow the change.

Looks like it is up to the division director to approve the reason for driver change.

tim worner · 11-15-2008, 01:58 PM

Also the original entrant is charged 10 national points for the event.

Tracey Harrington · 11-15-2008, 05:14 PM

As I see it, the reason for the driver change was because Mike could finish in the top 10 and Lee couldn't. I don't see that written anywhere in the driver change rules. Jim gets screwed out of the top ten because of this that is why we have a problem with it. We have nothing against Mike or Lee but rules are rules!

Bruce Noland · 11-15-2008, 05:35 PM

"rules are rules," are you guys discussing nhra issues? You should know better! The DD gets the final call at any National event. Mike could have entered before the deadline on Monday and nhra may not have updated the sheet. Nothing new there.

Mike Crutchfield · 11-18-2008, 06:56 PM

Sorry for any inconvenience that I may have caused anyone by driving my good friend Lee Sharps car at Las Vegas and Pomona.
It has been suggested that Lee or myself bent or broke rules so I could earn points.
Let me be very clear that is not the case. NHRA officials were well aware of our intentions for me to drive the car at Pomona and said I had two options since I was able to get in the top 10. The driver change method would be easier. As stated on page 42 of the 08 NHRA rule book it is at the sole discretion of NHRA and cannot be done until the day prior to the event which it was. We did it the way NHRA said to do it and I am very sorry if it turned out bad for anyone.
I had a very nice time and would like to thank Lee Sharp, Tim Freeman & Jim Hayter and the rest of his fine crew for all there help and hard work and a great quality [FAST] ride they provided me with. I only wish I could have won the race for them.
As far as I am concerened the issue is closed and I will not make any further post.

Mike Crutchfield

11-14-2008, 10:00 PM	#1
Tracey Harrington Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spotswood, NJ Posts: 211 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Driver Change Pomona? Jim was curious how Mike Crutchfield is able to drive Lee Sharp's SS car. Mike was not entered and Lee was. We thought you can't do a driver change unless an emergency( medical or family). Lee is feeling well enough to drive comp!

11-14-2008, 11:22 PM	#2
thomas sheehan Photographer Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,717 Likes: 24 Liked 75 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Driver Change Pomona? Tracey I think I can guess what happened. Mike Crutchfield still has a chance of being in the top ten of SS.... so the rules say that he can enter even if the field is full. I do not see his name on the entry list... but I am not sure how accurate that list is. By the way... he won the first two rds and needs two more rds to make the top ten (if jeff lane doesn't win the race and pass him and a few others also). just a guess tom sheehan

11-15-2008, 12:22 AM	#3
Tracey Harrington Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spotswood, NJ Posts: 211 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Driver Change Pomona? We know that Mike could enter because of having a chance to finish in the top 10 even if the class was full. If he had entered by the 3pm deadline on Monday then his name should be on the list. Jim was told by California that no matter what you have to enter by 3pm Monday. I guess they bent the rules!

11-15-2008, 01:34 PM	#4
Just Observing Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 138 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Driver Change Pomona? Driver-change policy: NHRA is implementing the following policy to accommodate racers who experience an unforeseen circumstance that prevents him or her from continuing in competition at an event (i.e. medical problem, personal tragedy, etc.). Driver changes will not be accepted prior to an event; all driver changes must be completed at the site of the national event entered. The original registered entrant must present the vehicle for technical inspection. Should a driver be unable to continue in competition after completing the technical inspection, the original entrant must present the reason for the driver change to a division director or the event director, who will determine whether to allow the change. Looks like it is up to the division director to approve the reason for driver change.

11-15-2008, 01:58 PM	#5
tim worner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: duncannon Posts: 837 Likes: 14 Liked 126 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Driver Change Pomona? Also the original entrant is charged 10 national points for the event. __________________ Tim Worner SS 1747

11-15-2008, 05:14 PM	#6
Tracey Harrington Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spotswood, NJ Posts: 211 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Driver Change Pomona? As I see it, the reason for the driver change was because Mike could finish in the top 10 and Lee couldn't. I don't see that written anywhere in the driver change rules. Jim gets screwed out of the top ten because of this that is why we have a problem with it. We have nothing against Mike or Lee but rules are rules!

11-15-2008, 05:35 PM	#7
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: Driver Change Pomona? "rules are rules," are you guys discussing nhra issues? You should know better! The DD gets the final call at any National event. Mike could have entered before the deadline on Monday and nhra may not have updated the sheet. Nothing new there. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK

11-18-2008, 06:56 PM	#8
Mike Crutchfield Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 84 Likes: 3 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Driver Change Pomona? Sorry for any inconvenience that I may have caused anyone by driving my good friend Lee Sharps car at Las Vegas and Pomona. It has been suggested that Lee or myself bent or broke rules so I could earn points. Let me be very clear that is not the case. NHRA officials were well aware of our intentions for me to drive the car at Pomona and said I had two options since I was able to get in the top 10. The driver change method would be easier. As stated on page 42 of the 08 NHRA rule book it is at the sole discretion of NHRA and cannot be done until the day prior to the event which it was. We did it the way NHRA said to do it and I am very sorry if it turned out bad for anyone. I had a very nice time and would like to thank Lee Sharp, Tim Freeman & Jim Hayter and the rest of his fine crew for all there help and hard work and a great quality [FAST] ride they provided me with. I only wish I could have won the race for them. As far as I am concerened the issue is closed and I will not make any further post. Mike Crutchfield