Photos courtesy of NHRA
The John Force Racing team has excelled so far in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Funny Car driver Courtney Force is the points leader and has a victory under her belt, Robert Hight has a win and is fifth in points, and Top Fuel driver Brittany Force has taken her first two victories of her career this season and sits third in points.
The only driver without a win on the team is team owner and 16-time world champion John Force, something he has high hopes of changing at this weekend's fourth annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.
If Force is able to score a victory, it would give him two straight victories at a track celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016 and remove any lingering sting of three straight first-round losses. The most recent of these losses came in Topeka, where Force introduced the new Chevrolet Camaro body for his 10,000-horsepower Peak Antifreeze Funny Car.
"I have been at the shop in Indy since after Topeka working with my team," said Force, who currently holds the ninth spot in Funny Car points and has had just one final round appearance in 2016. "It had been great since I usually just come in for a day and try to get something done quickly. We have been able to go through the car and really get me fitted and comfortable."
Force believes that having so many people working on his Camaro will help him get back in his groove at Epping this weekend.
The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1 with live qualifying on Saturday and finals coverage on Sunday.
Force has been excited and motivated seeing the team's successes thus far, but he is eager to get a taste of some of it himself. Getting a victory in the new Camaro body is a huge motivator for Force, as is ending his current winless streak that dates back to last year's race in Epping.
"I want to get into the winner's circle more than anyone, I think," said Force. "You want your team to have success but when you are trying to get one of the last spots in the Traxxas Shootout plus get that win for our spnonsor PEAK Antifreeze, you put a lot of pressure on yourself. I can handle the pressure and so can my team."
Force's first win for PEAK was last year in Epping, so returning to the track with the same hopes bodes well for Force.
"We aren't just racing for PEAK for Chevy but also for Auto Club, Traxxas, Monster Energy, Lucas Oil, and Mac Tools," said Force. "You never take winning for granted and I know I have won a lot but I want to keep winning and teaching my kids."
John Force is proud of his daughters' successes, but remains as competitive as ever. Force will have to deal with a loaded Funny Car field at this weekend's event, including two-time season winner Tim Wilkerson, Ron Capps, who opened the season with a win at the Winternationals, defending world champ Del Worsham, Las Vegas event winner Alexis DeJoria, Matt Hagan who has posted back-to-back wins entering the weekend, and national record holder Jack Beckman.
"This is perfect for me," said Force. "I haven't been home in a month already. I don't do vacations. I was at the Indy 500 for Chevy and we signed autographs with Linda Vaughn and Courtney on Saturday. I was all over the race track talking with fans and media people. I have been in Indy working on my race car and new sponsors. I can't wait to get to the race track and get into my race car."
Competition will be fierce in Pro Stock and Top Fuel classes as well, and fans will be given the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as usual.
For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.