Cruz Pedregon said he wishes he had reacted better at Indianapolis to John Force's and Robert's Hight's semifinal match-up that generated controversy. But he said he still supports the Countdown system.
 
"The points system builds drama. You've got to be in the top 10 to be elite. If you're not, you've got to take it on the chin, like we did. We've got to come back next year and make darn sure we're going to be in the top 10. What jumped out, of course, was the incident in the semifinals. The reality is that, collectively, as a team, we didn't score enough points," he said.

Cruz Pedregon said he wishes he had reacted better at Indianapolis to John Force's and Robert's Hight's semifinal match-up that generated controversy. But he said he still supports the Countdown system.
 
"The points system builds drama. You've got to be in the top 10 to be elite. If you're not, you've got to take it on the chin, like we did. We've got to come back next year and make darn sure we're going to be in the top 10. What jumped out, of course, was the incident in the semifinals. The reality is that, collectively, as a team, we didn't score enough points," he said.
 
"I think the drama is OK the way it is. It created a mini-drama," he said. "If your sponsorship is based on wins and losses, you're doomed." He said hospitality and driver goodwill in the community constitute a large part of the equation.
 
Pedregon said representatives from his sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, didn't comment on his remarks at Indianapolis. But he wanted to Saturday.
 
"I personally wish I would had been more calm, cool, and collected and not used the 'C' word," he said, referring to his charge that Force "cheated." He added, "But in the heat of the moment, I said what I said. John and I have since buried the hatchet. I have so much respect for him. Did I like what he did that particular round on that particular day? No. But life goes on."
 
Cruz said he and Force "have been through the wars for so many years, I think, there isn't a bone in my body that hates him or that feels anything but respect for him. It'll probably continue to be a touchy situation when his cars race each other, particularly when the chips are down and there are implications one way or the other."

Advertisement