POMONA, Calif. – The Top Eliminator Club grandstands at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona has been named in honor of NHRA legend John Force, NHRA President Tom Compton announced today.
Force was honored Sunday during pre-race ceremonies at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in a special presentation for the 15-time NHRA Funny Car world champion.
It marks the fourth time a grandstand at an NHRA owned and operated facility has been named in honor of an NHRA Legend during NHRA’s 60th anniversary celebration. Earlier this year a section of grandstand at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona was named for Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, and later in March, a section of grandstand at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway was named in honor of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. In September, NHRA President Tom Compton also named the Top Eliminator Club grandstands at historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis after three-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Shirley Muldowney.
“Few would argue John Force’s place in NHRA history,” Compton said. “His legendary status not only around the world but in his hometown and at his home track of Auto Club Raceway at Pomona is unequalled. It has served as the venue of some of his most crowning achievements. We are extremely honored to dedicate the Top Eliminator Club grandstands at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, ‘The John Force Grandstand.’”
“Now this just keeps getting better,” said Force. “I’ve got my own grandstands. If I get whopped, I’m spending the day with all of you. I love you.”
Force was named No. 2 in the Top 50 Drivers in NHRA history in 2001, and in his 33-year career has earned 133 NHRA national events as well as 139 No. 1 qualifiers and 1,096 round wins, all NHRA records.
Among Force’s many honors and awards include being named Driver of the Year in 1996 by a panel of national motorsports journalists and also a four-time winner of the Jerry Titus Award by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. He was selected as racer of the year by RACER Magazine in 2010.
