HOT START HAS LEGENDARY FORCE BACK IN FULL THROTTLE SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT
BAYTOWN, Texas – For all those so-called drag racing experts who officially wrote John Force off as an NHRA dominator in the Funny Car class, and said his world championship total is finished at 14 titles, it’s time to eat a little crow.
Who could blame Force if he feels just a little bit of sweet satisfaction right about now?
After enduring a tough stretch of seasons marred by tragedy, turmoil, crashes and mediocrity, NHRA legend John Force has finally emerged from all the chaos and regained his swagger.
He got it back through hard work, sweat, dedication and an incredible desire. It is the same desire that led him from a middle of the pack performer in the late ‘80s to the bigger-than-life 14-time world champ throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s.
owever, this time around, he needs to show the world that last season’s dismal performance – his worst on record since 1984 – was not the true John Force. He wants to prove that he’s still got what it takes to overcome incredible odds and win races and championships once again in the highly-volatile 7,000-horsepower world of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
“I have always been the kind of guy when somebody tears me down, it builds my strength,” Force said last week during a teleconference with national media. “If a driver gets after me, it makes me work harder. I was like that as a kid playing Pop Warner football. I never had a lot of talent, but I stayed after it, and I lived it.”
The 60-year-old Force, who has won twice in three final round appearances in the first four races of the 23-event 2010 season, will try to keep his hot start going as the tour heads to Texas for the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car), Ron Krisher (Pro Stock) and Craig Treble (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the defending winners of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event which will be televised on ESPN2 HD.
"I’m on a real big high right now and just excited,” said Force, who opened the season with an emotional win at the 50th Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals in Southern California and last week made history by winning the much-anticipated inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in the racing hotbed of Charlotte, N.C.
Entering the event in Houston, Force holds an 89-point advantage over a strong group of rivals, including second place driver Ron Capps, talented Jack Beckman, defending world champ Robert Hight and daughter Force Hood, the defending event winner. Sure, there’s still a lot of races left in the season before the official talk of championship contenders begins, but Force certainly likes his current situation. And, he’s proven that he’s ready to work even harder to get back what he’s lost over the years.
“It feels real good because I’m not getting any younger, but I do live in the gym,” Force said. “And as long as I can do the game and react at the starting line like Robert Hight, Ashley or Bob Tasca or any of them, a lot of great young drivers out there, I will do it.”
During his career, seven of Force’s NHRA-record 128 career victories have come at HRP, his last in 2002. The track’s near sea level elevation makes it an ideal place for NHRA teams to produce jaw-dropping performances. No doubt his newly aligned crew chief tandem of Mike Neff and Austin Coil will be anxious to put a quick tune-up on Force’s Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang.
“I like Texas,” Force said. “It’s fun to go there and you can really run good if the conditions are right. I think I got my hundredth win there. We’ve been pretty consistent there over the years…and we’re just looking forward to getting back there.”
In Top Fuel, seven-time world champ Schumacher, winner of the last six season titles, is once again in the championship mix in his U.S. Army dragster. This season he is getting tough competition from teammate and veteran driver Cory McClenathan, a two-time winner this season who is chasing his long-overdue first world championship title and currently leads the point standings. Schumacher’s longtime rival Larry Dixon, driver of the Al-Anabi Racing dragster and a two-time winner at HRP, and biker turned nitro driver Antron Brown, who has been solid in his Matco Tools dragster since leaving the Pro Stock Motorcycle class in 2007, are also in the championship hunt. A resurgent Doug Kalitta, driver of the Technicoat dragster, has advanced to three final rounds and is a win waiting to happen.
Defending world champ Mike Edwards is once again leading the Pro Stock contingent in his Penhall/Interstate Batteries Pontiac GXP. A three-time HRP winner, the Oklahoma native has recorded three victories this season and one runner-up finish in four races and holds a commanding 181-point lead over second place Jason Line, who has one win and one runner-up finish this season in his Summit Racing GXP. Team Mopar’s Allen Johnson and three-time world champ Greg Anderson also are among the pre-race favorites, along with Greg Stanfield and Phoenix runner-up Bob Yonke.
Past world champions Eddie Krawiec and Matt Smith have each earned victories this season in Pro Stock Motorcycle competition, but defending series titlist Hector Arana sits atop the point standings on his Lucas Oil Buell. Shawn Gann, Steve Johnson, Andrew Hines and two-time HRP winners Karen Stoffer and Craig Treble will be working hard at this event to improve their standing in the Full Throttle Series top 10.
• SCHEDULE: Full Throttle Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2:45 and 5:15 p.m. on April 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. on April 10. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 11.
• TICKETS: Tickets are available for O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals. Call Houston Raceway Park at (281) 383-RACE or visit Extreme Tix at www.clicknprint.com to purchase tickets.
• ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 11 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, April 10. ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 2:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, April 11. ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage beginning at 8 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, April 11.
• LUCAS OIL SERIES: The O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals also will feature competition in seven categories in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, where the future stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Series earn their racing stripes. All Lucas Oil Series competition at this event will be conducted in the traditional two-lane format. Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 8 a.m. on April 9. Lucas Oil Series eliminations begin at 8 a.m. on April 10.
• GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES: NHRA’s newest touring series will make its second start of the season at the O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals. The series features some of the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars, with an eclectic mix of vintage and late model body styles, in quarter-mile competition.
• ON THE WEB: Get live timing, scoring, multimedia and the latest news updates from every NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event on the Internet at www.nhra.com. Visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 23rd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil, the fifth of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas. From I-10, go south on Hwy. 146, or FM 3180. Then follow FM 565 to the facility. From the south, follow Hwy. 146 to Spur 55, then east to FM 1405, then north to FM 565. For additional information about directions please visit houstonracewaypark.com.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 9-11
SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, April 9 - LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 8 a.m.
GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 2:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 10 - LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations begin at 8 a.m.
GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 11 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FULL THROTTLE SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION: Saturday, April 10, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 11 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 2:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 11, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of coverage starting at 8 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE: Friday, April 9, 9 - 9:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 18K (12060 MHz, vertical)
(Analog feed) Saturday, April 10, 7:30 - 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 18K (12060 MHz, vertical)
Sunday, April 11, 7:30 - 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 18K (12060 MHz, vertical)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2009 EVENT
WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Ashley Force Hood, Funny Car; Ron Krisher, Pro Stock; Craig Treble, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 3.819 seconds by Antron Brown, March ’09; 316.75 mph by Brown, March ’09
Funny Car - 4.075 seconds by Cruz Pedregon, March ’09; 308.78 mph by Ashley Force Hood, March ’09
Pro Stock - 6.544 seconds by Jason Line, March ’09; 212.03 mph by Mike Edwards, March ’09
PS Motorcycle - 6.865 seconds by Matt Smith, March ’09; 195.73 mph by Andrew Hines, April ’05
(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle is 1,320 feet)
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel - 3.771 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Oct. ’08, Richmond, Va.; 324.98 mph by Schumacher, March, ’10, Gainesville, Fla.
Funny Car - 4.023 sec. by Ron Capps, Feb. ’09, Chandler, Ariz.; 316.38 mph by Ashley Force Hood, March ’10, Charlotte, N.C.
Pro Stock - 6.509 sec. by Mike Edwards, Oct. ’09, Richmond, Va.; 212.46 mph by Greg Anderson, March ’10, Charlotte, N.C.
PS Motorcycle- 6.847 sec. by Karen Stoffer, March. ’10, Gainesville, Fla.; 197.45 mph by Andrew Hines, March ’05, Gainesville, Fla.
(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle is 1,320 feet)
TICKETS: For tickets call Houston Raceway Park, (281) 383-RACE (7223). Tickets also are available at Extreme Tix.
RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Full event: $110- $132; Daily: Friday: Adult, $35-45; Junior (12 years & under), $5-$10. Saturday: Adult, $47- $59; Junior (12 years & under), $10- $20. Sunday: Adult, $47- $59; Junior (12 years & under), $10- $20.
2010 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES STANDINGS
Updated 3/28/2010 (Following the fourth of 23 events; Season victories in parentheses)
TOP FUEL
Place Driver Points
1. Cory McClenathan, Indianapolis, FRAM dragster (2) 379
2. Tony Schumacher, Chicago, U.S. Army dragster (1) 327
3. Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports dragster 326
4. Larry Dixon, Indianapolis, Al-Anabi Racing dragster (1) 302
5. Antron Brown, Indianapolis, Matco Tools dragster 273
6. Shawn Langdon, Indianapolis, Lucas Oil/Dixie Chopper dragster 221
7. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Torrence Racing/Tuttle Motorsports dragster 193
8. Morgan Lucas, Indianapolis, GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster 173
9. Brandon Bernstein, Indianapolis, Copart/Lucas Oil dragster 168
10. Dave Grubnic, Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports dragster 154
FUNNY CAR
1. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang (2) 397
2. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T 308
3. Jack Beckman, Corona, Calif., Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger R/T (1) 278
4. Matt Hagan, Christiansburg, Va., DieHard Dodge Charger R/T 255
5. Ashley Force Hood, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX Ford Mustang 247
6. Bob Tasca III, Hope, R.I., Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang 236
7. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Levi, Ray & Shoup Ford Mustang (1) 230
8. Robert Hight, Yorba Linda, Calif., Auto Club Ford Mustang 223
9. Tony Pedregon, Indianapolis NitroFish Gear Chevy Impala SS 212
10. Del Worsham, Chino Hills, Calif., Al-Anabi Racing Toyota Camry-Solara 166
PRO STOCK
1. Mike Edwards, Coweta, Okla., Penhall/Interstate Batteries Pontiac GXP (3) 484
2. Jason Line, Charlotte, N.C., Summit Racing Pontiac GXP (1) 303
3. Allen Johnson, Greeneville, Tenn., J&J Racing/Team Mopar Dodge Avenger 285
4. Greg Anderson, Charlotte, N.C., Summit Racing Pontiac GXP 256
5. Greg Stanfield, Bossier City, La., NitroFish Gear Pontiac GXP 233
6. Bob Yonke, Burleson, Texas, Adrenaline Motorsports Pontiac GXP 209
7. Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, Attitude Apparel Pontiac GXP 198
8. Jeg Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt 182
9. Ron Krisher, Warren, Ohio, Valvoline Chevy Cobalt 172
10. Ronnie Humphrey, Jacksonville, N.C., Humphrey Racing Pontiac GXP 147
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE (following 2 of 17 events)
1. Hector Arana, Milltown, Ind., Lucas Oil Buell 175
2t. Eddie Krawiec, Indianapolis, Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson (1) 160
2t. Matt Smith, King, N.C., Al-Anabi Racing Buell (1) 160
4. Shawn Gann, Stoneville, N.C., RumBum Buell 129
5. Steve Johnson, Birmingham, Ala., Steve Johnson Racing Suzuki 127
6. Karen Stoffer, Minden, Nev., GEICO Powersports Suzuki 115
7. David Hope, Nevada, Mo., Mohegan Sun Racing Buell 110
8. Craig Treble, New Orleans, Valvoline Motorcycle Oils Suzuki 108
9. Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge, La., Phillips Racing Suzuki 104
10. Andrew Hines, Indianapolis, Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson 94
