ALAN JOHNSON SPEAKS
Thu, 2008-04-17 12:15
Following is a statement from U.S. Army Top Fuel team crew chief, Alan
Johnson, as connected to the recent fining of team owner, Don
Schumacher, by the NHRA:
“During ESPN’s race day broadcast of the recent SummitRacing.com Nationals from Las Vegas, it was revealed that Don Schumacher Racing was heavily fined for allegedly violating NHRA’s fuel policy.
“During said broadcast, an interview was conducted with NHRA’s Vice President of Competition, Graham Light, to explain the fine. While this interview took place, footage of the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster was shown making a run in slow motion. This unfortunate airing has produced and fueled implications that the U.S. Army team is doing something illegal.
“Given the lack of explanation by the NHRA, I feel responsible to set the record straight, while defending my U.S. Army team, our sponsors and their collective accomplishments over the last four years. Following is a statement from U.S. Army Top Fuel team crew chief, Alan Johnson, as connected to the recent fining of team owner, Don Schumacher, by the NHRA:
“During ESPN’s race day broadcast of the recent SummitRacing.com Nationals from Las Vegas, it was revealed that Don Schumacher Racing was heavily fined for allegedly violating NHRA’s fuel policy.
“During said broadcast, an interview was conducted with NHRA’s Vice President of Competition, Graham Light, to explain the fine. While this interview took place, footage of the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster was shown making a run in slow motion. This unfortunate airing has produced and fueled implications that the U.S. Army team is doing something illegal.
“Given the lack of explanation by the NHRA, I feel responsible to set the record straight, while defending my U.S. Army team, our sponsors and their collective accomplishments over the last four years.
“First and foremost, I want to make it absolutely clear that there has never been any Pro Nitro in the U.S. Army team pit area or in our trailer during an NHRA national event weekend. As a result, the U.S. Army team has never used Pro Nitro in qualifying or on race day.
“To be sure, the success of the U.S. Army Top Fuel team has been under close scrutiny for some time now and we have complied with all requested inspections and fuel tests. Additionally, we have consistently volunteered entire data recordings from our onboard computer for NHRA Technical Department review.
“Our team has worked very hard and made personal sacrifices to honorably achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves and for our sponsors, including the U.S. Army.
“Further to the subject matter above, we have been labeled by some in the media as an “Army of Thieves” given our propensity for late-season heroics. To position our accomplishments in such a way is, in my opinion, insulting, fraudulent and libelous.
“In summation, I feel it’s my responsibility to preserve the honorable reputation and successes of my team and I will continue that effort moving forward.”
“During ESPN’s race day broadcast of the recent SummitRacing.com Nationals from Las Vegas, it was revealed that Don Schumacher Racing was heavily fined for allegedly violating NHRA’s fuel policy.
“During said broadcast, an interview was conducted with NHRA’s Vice President of Competition, Graham Light, to explain the fine. While this interview took place, footage of the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster was shown making a run in slow motion. This unfortunate airing has produced and fueled implications that the U.S. Army team is doing something illegal.
“Given the lack of explanation by the NHRA, I feel responsible to set the record straight, while defending my U.S. Army team, our sponsors and their collective accomplishments over the last four years. Following is a statement from U.S. Army Top Fuel team crew chief, Alan Johnson, as connected to the recent fining of team owner, Don Schumacher, by the NHRA:
“During ESPN’s race day broadcast of the recent SummitRacing.com Nationals from Las Vegas, it was revealed that Don Schumacher Racing was heavily fined for allegedly violating NHRA’s fuel policy.
“During said broadcast, an interview was conducted with NHRA’s Vice President of Competition, Graham Light, to explain the fine. While this interview took place, footage of the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster was shown making a run in slow motion. This unfortunate airing has produced and fueled implications that the U.S. Army team is doing something illegal.
“Given the lack of explanation by the NHRA, I feel responsible to set the record straight, while defending my U.S. Army team, our sponsors and their collective accomplishments over the last four years.
“First and foremost, I want to make it absolutely clear that there has never been any Pro Nitro in the U.S. Army team pit area or in our trailer during an NHRA national event weekend. As a result, the U.S. Army team has never used Pro Nitro in qualifying or on race day.
“To be sure, the success of the U.S. Army Top Fuel team has been under close scrutiny for some time now and we have complied with all requested inspections and fuel tests. Additionally, we have consistently volunteered entire data recordings from our onboard computer for NHRA Technical Department review.
“Our team has worked very hard and made personal sacrifices to honorably achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves and for our sponsors, including the U.S. Army.
“Further to the subject matter above, we have been labeled by some in the media as an “Army of Thieves” given our propensity for late-season heroics. To position our accomplishments in such a way is, in my opinion, insulting, fraudulent and libelous.
“In summation, I feel it’s my responsibility to preserve the honorable reputation and successes of my team and I will continue that effort moving forward.”
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