Off the track, legendary Funny Car driver John Force has stayed busy over the last several months, changing car manufacturers, shuffling his team roster and adding a flurry of new sponsors heading into the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
On the track, where Force really thrives, the 16-time world champion continues to be just as successful. He battled reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan down to the wire a season ago, finishing second in points after a thrilling duel at Pomona.
A chaotic off-season ended on a strong note with an impressive test session in Phoenix, leaving Force primed for another go at a world championship. That journey starts with this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, and the reigning event winner Force promises to be ready in his 10,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS.
“Driving is what I really do,” Force said. “When I got to testing everybody said my personality changed, because you get back into what you really love, and that’s driving a race car on the NHRA circuit. I can’t wait to get to the Winternationals. I’m excited because driving that car is what I’m good at it. Retiring is not an option to me. I love what I do. The car is what I do, and I’m ready to drag race.”
Khalid alBalooshi (Top Fuel) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) joined Force as winner’s last year of the race that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Force is certainly no stranger to victories at Pomona, winning 16 times overall and eight times at the Winternationals. To keep that stellar mark going, Force will have to deal with a loaded Funny Car class that starts with Hagan, who showed extreme poise throughout the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.
The duel and brewing rivalry between Force and Hagan seemed to bring out the best in both, as Hagan won three races and advanced to four final rounds in the Countdown to the Championship. Force advanced to three final rounds during the six-race playoffs, but lost to Hagan in two of those outings.
That matchup figures to be one to watch during 2015, but Force also knows he can’t concentrate on just one driver in a deep and talented Funny Car field.
“I’m ready, but Hagan will tell you, if he focused on me and I’m focused on him, well then Cruz Pedregon or Robert Hight or Courtney or Ron Capps is going to go around us,” Force said. “So what do we do? We take them a day at a time. Robert Hight wants a championship as much as I do, and he knows how to do it.
“Courtney, she’s ready. She’s got a race car and she knows how to drive it. But there’s a lot of other kids out there that are overdue. Ron Capps has got a great team. Any day his could happen and it would be well deserved. We’ll be back in the hunt. It’s exciting times to watch this. I’m ready to rock and roll.”
Top competition seems to bring out the best in Force but so seemingly does a non-stop mindset off the track. Force and his John Force Racing team worked tirelessly to add new sponsors throughout the end of 2014 and into 2015, and that energy has had a strong effect on the entire team, which includes Hight, Courtney Force and Top Fuel driver Brittany Force.
All had strong showings at their test session in Phoenix and John Force hopes that carries over to memorable performances from his entire team in Pomona.
“We’ll have to see what we can do at Pomona,” Force said. “Testing was good. We’re a little overworked, but it’s starting to come together with a lot of good friends helping. Mike Neff heads our charge. He’s my new Austin Coil. He runs everything. But (crew chief) Jon Schaffer proved he could get the job done. (It’s a) young team, kind of an old guy over here, but it’s a balance and we work great together.”
That should continue to pay dividends as Force continues to adjust to the new Camaro. On the good side, it also gives Force reason to believe the car will run well when all of the kinks are ironed out.
“That (doesn’t) mean we’re going to run out and win a championship right off the bat, but we’ll be a contender, I’ll give you my word on that,” Force said.
The star-studded Top Fuel class is led by reigning world champion Tony Schumacher, who claimed his eighth world championship in 2014. Former world champions Antron Brown, Larry Dixon and Shawn Langdon as well as top challengers J.R. Todd, Spencer Massey, Doug Kalitta, class newcomer Dave Connolly and 2014 NHRA rookie of the year Richie Crampton will aim to prevent a ninth world title for Schumacher.
In Pro Stock, Erica Enders-Stevens reigned supreme in one of the most exciting championship battles ever, defeating Jason Line in a winner-take-all final side-by-side race of the year to claim her first world championship. Enders-Stevens, who became the first female Pro Stock world champion, will be looking to add to her 12 career victories but will face stiff challenges from the likes of Line, Allen Johnson, Shane Gray, Greg Anderson, Jonathan Gray and Vincent Nobile.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Feb. 6, with sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.
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