HERNANDEZ DENIED RE-ENTRY FOR COMMERCE
Tue, 2008-04-22 21:54
This weekend’s NHRA Southern Nationals Pro Modified field in Commerce,
GA., will be absent of the defending event and world champion Josh
Hernandez. The Conroe, Texas-based driver was originally on the invite
list as a defending event champion but was forced to withdraw from
competition earlier in the season when the ADRL event scheduled for
Tulsa, Oklahoma overlapped Commerce.
Hernandez has made the ADRL his priority in observance of a new major sponsorship from the National Guard.
Wet grounds in Tulsa forced ADRL to postpone the event until June.
Hernandez reapplied for an invitation to compete in this weekend’s event but was denied by officials from the NHRA Jegs ProMod Series citing the NHRA’s firm stance on 20 maximum entries for this weekend’s event. This weekend’s NHRA Southern Nationals Pro Modified field in Commerce, GA., will be absent of the defending event and world champion Josh Hernandez. The Conroe, Texas-based driver was originally on the invite list as a defending event champion but was forced to withdraw from competition earlier in the season when the ADRL event scheduled for Tulsa, Oklahoma overlapped Commerce.
Hernandez has made the ADRL his priority in observance of a new major sponsorship from the National Guard.
Wet grounds in Tulsa forced ADRL to postpone the event until June.
Hernandez reapplied for an invitation to compete in this weekend’s event but was denied by officials from the NHRA Jegs ProMod Series citing the NHRA’s firm stance on 20 maximum entries for this weekend’s event.
Jegs ProMod Series spokesman Rob Geiger said the decision was not an easy one to make.
“We'd love to have Josh,” said Geiger. “He was on the original invite list as the defending series champion. Consequently, Josh called and told me personally that he had a prior commitment and he wouldn't be able to compete in Atlanta. Therefore, we gave the spot to another racer.
"Soon after that, Josh called back and said he was now able to race. Unfortunately, we'd given his spot away by that point. We're trying our best to build this series into a healthy entity within the confines of NHRA competition, where we are an invited guest. They limited us to 20 slots at this event and we have to adhere to that."
“It's nothing against Josh at all and I'm sure he'll tell you the same story. Our hands are tied by the number of entries we can have. Most of our races allow for 24 cars, but this is one of the races where we're limited to 20."
Hernandez offered a brief quote regarding the situation.
“I am firmly planted in a state of denial right now and we’ll have to see how this plays out,” Hernandez said. “It’s just a bummer situation.”
Hernandez has made the ADRL his priority in observance of a new major sponsorship from the National Guard.
Wet grounds in Tulsa forced ADRL to postpone the event until June.
Hernandez reapplied for an invitation to compete in this weekend’s event but was denied by officials from the NHRA Jegs ProMod Series citing the NHRA’s firm stance on 20 maximum entries for this weekend’s event. This weekend’s NHRA Southern Nationals Pro Modified field in Commerce, GA., will be absent of the defending event and world champion Josh Hernandez. The Conroe, Texas-based driver was originally on the invite list as a defending event champion but was forced to withdraw from competition earlier in the season when the ADRL event scheduled for Tulsa, Oklahoma overlapped Commerce.
Hernandez has made the ADRL his priority in observance of a new major sponsorship from the National Guard.
Wet grounds in Tulsa forced ADRL to postpone the event until June.
Hernandez reapplied for an invitation to compete in this weekend’s event but was denied by officials from the NHRA Jegs ProMod Series citing the NHRA’s firm stance on 20 maximum entries for this weekend’s event.
Jegs ProMod Series spokesman Rob Geiger said the decision was not an easy one to make.
“We'd love to have Josh,” said Geiger. “He was on the original invite list as the defending series champion. Consequently, Josh called and told me personally that he had a prior commitment and he wouldn't be able to compete in Atlanta. Therefore, we gave the spot to another racer.
"Soon after that, Josh called back and said he was now able to race. Unfortunately, we'd given his spot away by that point. We're trying our best to build this series into a healthy entity within the confines of NHRA competition, where we are an invited guest. They limited us to 20 slots at this event and we have to adhere to that."
“It's nothing against Josh at all and I'm sure he'll tell you the same story. Our hands are tied by the number of entries we can have. Most of our races allow for 24 cars, but this is one of the races where we're limited to 20."
Hernandez offered a brief quote regarding the situation.
“I am firmly planted in a state of denial right now and we’ll have to see how this plays out,” Hernandez said. “It’s just a bummer situation.”
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