Boy, Boxer 12 , when you are off, you are way, way off. No need to fan the flames ,as Ralph ran the red car to 2nd and 3rd in qualifying at Miller, and you sure can't know the situation if you think the car he pops in is different than the others.
The one comment that really is extremely inaccurate, is that no one has more seat time in an ACR than Ralph. Wow, I can probably name 20 folks right away and given time, likely more, as Ralph has absolutely no time to run Vipers. This is a gentleman who works 16-18+ hour days , and often Saturdays, and feels a chance to jump in an ACR-X is a vacation day. Heading Dodge and as the Head of Design for Chrysler Corp., most folks who work with Ralph are tickled to death that he takes these extremely infrequent breaks.
Now if you want to talk about Eric Hueschle or Chris Winkler or others that drive Vipers almost daily, you have a good case for them doing well in a race or setting a track record ( in Chris's case at Laguna Seca ), but those of us who do race are quite amazed at what Ralph has done on the track , as his time is so severely limited , it is incomprehensible to most.
Lux Peformance sets up the cars, and there is no one I know with more integrity than Cindi Lux and Fred Lux. Ralph has popped into any car she has suggested and it makes no difference. I had the pleasure of sitting at a corner called the " Attitudes" with Cindi at Miller Motorsports Park and listening in as she coached Ralph. Ralph made mistakes , but adjusted quickly with Cindi's guidance and skill at picking up small areas for improvement. I watched, and listened as he worked on two areas that took him from mid pack to a top three qualifying spot. Frankly if Ralph has a secret weapon , or any advantage, it is Cindi Lux and her talent.
Nuff said, but just not a correct assessment of what is really happening and there is no one out there that is not enamored that we have a Motorhead directing Dodge, and racing them to boot!!
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Pemberton