announcer Jason Galvin said the replacement driver rule is nothing new that it's a long-standing rule and it does apply on a case-by casee basis Galvin said this is a rule that was announced before the season when thinking about things like some of our Lady drivers who may who may want to start families and have to get out of the car midseason or get back into the car in the middle of next season also for different and various medical issues this is a rule that was instituted and announced before Gainesville there was conversation about whether or not Austin proc would Institute this rule for Robert height before we had any idea of when Robert would possibly come back height has missed the entire season with undisclosed Health situation and proc has become the points leader in the funny car class and winning those points for himself it's a long-standing rule and it does apply on a case-by casee basis Galvin said but generally speaking the only time that a waiver wouldn't be granted is if a team was trying to take advantage of a situation Matt Hagen is a four-time funny car champion who is currently third in the point standings behind just proc and Bob TSA 3 Jr Todd is fourth and the for/ Beckman entry is fifth. your swapping drivers but the heart of that team is still there Hagen said and those boys that are working on that car and have put the work in they deserve a chance to do whatever they're going to do I just feel that it's a rule that's been in place for a while it's a fair rule we all know what we're getting into with it Alexis did joria is another racer in the funny car class who would have no problem if John Force thanks to someone representing him with a strong showing down the stretch is the one taking home the 2024 funny car championship trophy it is a team effort deoria said at the end of the day they give us these great cars to drive and it's up to us to get it to the Finish Line the best way we can but it's also a family deal every person on that team is so crucial to do their part every single time perfectly so to take it away and just be like it's a John Force Championship it's a team championship God bless them if Jack Beckman can help that team get to where their driver started then so be it and I love John Force I love that whole race team and this may be the very last time that John Force ever gets a chance to win a championship