For those that saw the controversial Pro Stock Bike final at the U.S. Nationals on ESPN 2. The timers (and NHRA) gave the win to Matt Smith by .0013 second but ESPN 2's photo at the finish line clearly showed Steve Johnson ahead at the stripe. NHRA initially said they would have to go with their timing equipment result and declared Matt Smith the winner no matter what photos showed. Per today's Indpls Star, NHRA reviewed the matter yesterday and changed their decision, awarding Steve Johnson the win. They said after discussions with the timing equipment mfr, it's thought the newly painted white finish line stripe may have reflected light, causing another part of Johnson's bike other than the front tire to trip the timers. NHRA said finish line stripes will be painted yellow in the future.

That was the right thing for NHRA to do. It was very obvious from the ESPN2 video that Johnson won, I think they also went back and looked at the incrementals and found that Johnson was on a much better pass than the 7.20 the clocks showed. Interesting note about the white stripe, I'll bet a lot of drag strips will be painting the finish stripe yellow before next year!

www.nhra.com (http://www.nhra.com/) has the story also.

That's great, I really like Steve Johnson. He was lucky that they had the Funny Car race with the same MOV to compare his race with. Without that evidence, NHRA would have probably stuck with their original decision. I bet he'll have a better light if he ever gets in another final round!! :clonk:

BillL

Heh, Irwindale doesn't even have a finish line painted on the ground.

I was wondering why Matt wasn't jumping out of his drag suit at the finish area when they gave him the Trophy, Hey you won Indy Dude, snap out of it. No smiles, just a not sure look. He must have seen Johnson get to the finish line first, even tho, because he had a cup of coffee at the starting line :clonk:, he had the faster Bike, Go Harley !!!

:hurray: Von, did he camp out all night. :)

thats GREAT!

couple of the guys from work were there & a few more of us saw it on TV, most were saying "it's not NHRA's fault his bike didn't trip the lights" (the Harley guys) and 2 of us pointed out......... its a "DRAG RACE....... FIRST ONE TO THE FINISH LINE WINS!!!!"
I have a laser transit & was telling the guys that with my "indicator" flat on the ground, by walking next to it and reflecting the beam, it will go off..... at a 90 degree angle to the laser beam!!!!
my faith has been restored in the NHRA

:hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

I want to see GT and Andrew in the finals again :(

Joe

I'm sure you Harley fans will correct me if this is incorrect but didn't the NHRA just keep changing the rules until they finally got the Harleys to win? Is the engine size allowed the same for the Harleys as it is for the Japanese bikes?

Saw the race as well and have to applaud NHRA on making the decision. Photographic evidence is the best method in a 'dispute'. :thumbsup:

The Texas Motorplex use to have some sort of timing problem with the lights,maybe if someone that use to bracket race there frequently can say what it was,but there were alot of cars around that had the front wheels painted white having something to do with the lights.Been fixed for quite some time,I understand.

I want to see GT and Andrew in the finals again :(

Joe
YOU WILL !!!!!!!!!!! if they stop red lighting...........

I used to chase points at the Texas Motorplex every year back when they were a real race track.

The way the track is positioned, the sunlight would reflect off the FRONT wheels just right at certain times of the day and make it very difficult to stage the car.

I always had my front wheels shoepolished white when I raced there.

I don't know if it still is like that ( I would assume it is) because I no longer race there now that they only run points 5 races per year and told us bracket racers that they "couldn't give a rat's ass if bracket racers ever showed up here".

I was more than happy to oblige them.

Randy

I'm sure you Harley fans will correct me if this is incorrect but didn't the NHRA just keep changing the rules until they finally got the Harleys to win? Is the engine size allowed the same for the Harleys as it is for the Japanese bikes?Not reducing weight till the Harleys win, but reducing till they were competitive. But with more engine developement they got faster...
Harley's have much more cubes than the Ricers, but the numerous weight penalties has the Harley's almost towing a Suzuki , which has brought on more engine failures than last year. The last increase in weight was 40 pounds, and just a few weeks back they took 10 pounds off the Ricers. The Screaming Eagle team complained they have to much weight for the bike and so I guess now its time to reduce the weight on the Ricers...
One thing about the Harley they have GOBBS of Torque to explode off the line.

sorry....wrong thread. :clonk:

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