If you look at the Straight shot video on NHRA's website, it appears that the lane marker may have made contact with Force's RR when Selzi (?) crossed the center line. Anyone have a better view?

I can't say one way or the other concerning the lane marker but what I did find interesting during the Richmond race and the interview with John Medlen is that he briefly made a comment about the simularities of Eric's accident pertaining to the tire and John's.  Now it wasn't clear as whether John M. was making comparision that they saw the same type harmonics that caused Eric's fatal injuries or that it was simular in that there was a rear tire failure.  Just after the accident, KB (it wasn't Scelzi, it was Kenny Bernstein) himself made comments that the modified cockpit with head protection worked very well and John Force during the hospital interview made the same comments about that there was no injury at all to his head.

I'm not proposing secrets being held or some type of conspiracy but I do wonder if they saw something in the data and the accident that suggested a related event?  And again, it also could be a misreading of the situation on my part and that they are keeping all options on the table as they research further into this and I'm glad to see that if that is the case.  My guess it is.

John Force and that entire team I think are really dedicated to making safety improvements and coming up with good solutions.  John was front and center after Eric's death on this and I personally think now as a result of what happened to him directly, if John (and I have no reason to think otherwise) comes back in the driver seat, I really believe at this point that all his efforts will be as a driver of an R&D car to research data in race trim and let the kids fight for the Wally's.  I honestly believe John is that serious about this whole safety issue and making these cars as safe as they can be.

 

JMO.

 

BTW: Phil Burkart will be in Force's car for 3 days of open testing at Vegas.  So much for my Bazemore theory!

LOL!

wkmac:

BTW: Phil Burkart will be in Force's car for 3 days of open testing at Vegas.  So much for my Bazemore theory!

LOL!

 

Bazemore would be a good pick IMO, but the seat has already been filled for next year...

http://www.racingone.com/article.aspx?artnum=37042 

Actually Neff will drive the car that was Eric's ride with John Medlen as crew chief.  What I was playing around with was putting Baze in Force's seat until he either gets back or decides enough is enough and never comes back and I don't see that happening unless the injuries are far greater than we thought.  Not sure if Phil will actually drive the car in Vegas or Pomona but he will drive it for testing and based on results may tell if they put that car on the track or not this year!