is it just me or.....

[512 T/F]

or is it everytime Don Schumacher say one thing you can just about bet its gonna be the opposite. Not saying Dons not a brilliant businessman, promoter and was one helluva driver, cause he is all that and more. But it seems like in the recent past when asked about internet rumors and gossip he says A and within a matter of days B comes to pass. Wouldnt he look better if he just said "yeah were gonna go with Jack over Whit, or yeah Glidden is going to go do his own thing, or Lees no longer the tuner on the Matco car"

[Rich_1028]

I too see it that way also!!

[Don Schumacher]

What is it you want to know and if I can I will tell you but some business reasons do not let me comment on things, sorry you think I am full of BS

[Simply Fuelish]

Nuff said....... Don, you do tend to "dance around" some issues, but if it is for business reasons, I do understand.... Not really, but I kinda understand.

I was raised to tell the truth when asked, if that wasnt possible, then I would decline to speculate or blow smoke...Im not preaching to you here, your a big boy, you know what people are talking about here.

A simple "no comment" and one of your bright smile's would go a long ways in the crediblity department on sensitive issues you dont want or are ready to speak on.

Heres another question since your making yourself available, Does the Kenny Bernstein and Ray Alley combo give you any heartburn ? Im sure Ray has had a front row seat on Allan Johnsons magnificent tune up that you are paying dearly for ? ....Does it bother you ? ?

If you have to answer "politically correct" like, then dont bother, I've heard it all before. Im sure your thinking to yourself, "Hmmm....what an idiot to ask me a question so obvious like that " ? ........... People would like to know how the power players in this sport feel about something like this that is blatantly......Dare I say ?.....WRONG !

Were going to miss Whit Don.....Its not a clean break in between seasons here, no, were in the middle of the season ...My humble opinion. Whit has given me plenty of heartburn in the past, but he is a stand up man and he CAN drive that funny car well, .......I just think he deserved more. Dont you agree ?

[Don Schumacher]

Whit, Matco Tools and I agreed that this was the best way to handle this situation. Matco decided to move on, the Powers team wants to talk to Whit about him driving there and I feel Whit should be allowed do that but that would violate his contract and with me, the Skoal points beginning in Indy it is best in Funny Car to make the move now. Jack needs seat time to prepare for next year.

The Bernstein, Ray Alley issue is a NHRA employee issue not a team issue. We all have thoughts on the subject and would rather have it different but you cannot run these cars without the complete package. Ray has seen a lot and he may have some insight to some things but that will not give them everything they need to be sucessful right out of the box.

[512 T/F]

What is it you want to know and if I can I will tell you but some business reasons do not let me comment on things, sorry you think I am full of BS
Good morning Don and thanks for the reply, first let me say I DO NOT think you are full of BS, far from it. Your winning records as driver,team owner and busnessman speak volumes. There isnt any one thing I want to know, just an observation I made. And yes I do understand confidentiality in certain business situations. I and I think we all appreciate your joining us on these boards.

[enraeh]

What is it you want to know and if I can I will tell you but some business reasons do not let me comment on things, sorry you think I am full of BS

I might have missed it, but why did Lee Beard leave the Bazemore FC team??

[anotheridiot]

The Bernstein, Ray Alley issue is a NHRA employee issue not a team issue. We all have thoughts on the subject and would rather have it different but you cannot run these cars without the complete package. Ray has seen a lot and he may have some insight to some things but that will not give them everything they need to be sucessful right out of the box.



I am sure that the teams are already working on the next generation of any secret weapon parts they might have that Alley might know about, so even if Alley finds a way to manufacture said parts, by the time he figures out how to use them they will already be replaced by alot of teams.

I just hope all the owners get together and make sure that NHRA makes it a point for any new directors of whatever have a time period after their resignation to start working for another team.

[Pat McGill]

I don't enjoy Don's company, but I have to respect him for coming on here to answer his critics. Now, if all of his teams would DNQ the rest of the year...

[Nitro-fumes]

I don't think that Don has the obligation to post on here. Let alone the obligation to explain to any of us what his intentions or decisions revolve around.

NHRA offers that every ticket is a pit pass, but some of you take it too literally. Everyone thinks that they have the right to know everything. How would you like it if people scrutinized your business decisions? Better yet your personal life? Our business is what takes place on the track, not behind closed doors. Don hasn't become as successful as he is by revealing to the world his full agenda, nor should he.

Not to mention, if every team flat out spoke their intentions how would the rumor boards function?

[Paul_Page_Rulz]

I don't think that Don has the obligation to post on here. Let alone the obligation to explain to any of us what his intentions or decisions revolve around.

NHRA offers that every ticket is a pit pass, but some of you take it too literally. Everyone thinks that they have the right to know everything. How would you like it if people scrutinized your business decisions? Better yet your personal life? Our business is what takes place on the track, not behind closed doors. Don hasn't become as successful as he is by revealing to the world his full agenda, nor should he.

Not to mention, if every team flat out spoke their intentions how would the rumor boards function?
This is the most obsurd thing I read on the drag racing forums. Armchair quarterbacking the decisions of a team owner, a crew chief, or a racer is no different than doing it over your favorite NFL team. Walk into a sports bar and tell a group of guys that they have no right to scrutinize the business decisions of whatever owner/team they are talking about.

If Don doesn't want to explain himself on these boards, why does Don join them in the first place?

[jpee]

If Don doesn't want to explain himself on these boards, why does Don join them in the first place?

So let me get this right... if DS decides to come here & post he is obligated to say everything he knows...maybe he joined this forum to post some things that he thought SHOULD be posted.. and maybe there are somethings he feels he'd rather not talk about.. its his decision as to what he does or does not post!

[Paul_Page_Rulz]

My point was, Don only comes in these forums to explain himself. And for some reason, he feels compelled to do so.

[SPIKE 06]

Perhaps Don is a fan much like some of us are. You can compete in racing and be a fan yet, as well.There is a part of fandom that still appeals to many competitors, and for Don, this may be it!

[Nitro-fumes]

My point was, Don only comes in these forums to explain himself. And for some reason, he feels compelled to do so.

Don comes to the forum to explain himself because so many people bash him for his decisions. If he didn't try to explain his decisions I shudder to think what some of the people would write next.

Until we are out there making the business decisions he has to make on a daily basis, including the utilization of his own personal funds, we don't have the room to so vehemently oppose his decision. We can comment, but attacking his character is something reserved from knowing a man personally, not by studying his persona on this or any other chat room.

[Paul_Page_Rulz]

I understand your closeness and concern, I really do. But I think you are missing the greater concept. Have you ever heard a group of people discussing the day to day decisions of the illustrious George M. Steinbrenner? You can find much written about those decisions on the net, even published in book form. His business dealings are even discussed on radio and TV. And it's not always polite. Especially if the Yankees are losing. Yet you never hear anyone say it's not ethical or morally correct, or even plain impolite for anyone to question his decisions, or call him by a derogatory name. It's as much a part of the sport as hot dogs and the 7th inning stretch.

Mr. Schumacher shares that same sort of status that coaches, owners and even players of other sports enjoy. They will be bantered about in the media, and talked about freely by the fans because it's what fans do. What else would they talk about? And should Mr. Schumacher be concerned? No, I'd think he has much bigger fish to fry. We would just be minnows.