NHRA's Force to be Inducted into Raceway Wall of Fame

SONOMA, Calif. - John Force has dominated the
quarter-mile drag strip at Infineon Raceway during his legendary career,
and he'll be honored for his efforts at the FRAM Autolite NHRA
Nationals, presented by Supercuts, July 28-30.

            

Force will be inducted into the raceway's prestigious Wall of Fame,
joining fellow NHRA Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson, as well as NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup drivers Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace and
Speedway Motorports Chairman and CEO O. Bruton Smith. The Wall of Fame
was unveiled in 2005.

 

Force holds the all-time record in Sonoma for career NHRA wins with six,
and he has reached the finals 10 times overall, leaving no doubt as to
his dominance in the Sonoma Valley. For his career, Force is a 13-time
world champion in Funny Car, including 10 straight from 1993-2002.  He
also holds the NHRA record for career wins (120), among his many
accolades.

 

"It's an honor to be recognized with drivers like Jeff Gordon and Rusty
Wallace, but it's really special to included with Bruton Smith, who's
given us so many great racetracks like Infineon Raceway," Force said.
"We've had a lot of success (at Infineon) in the past but I hope we have
a lot more in the future."

 

Force will be honored during pre-event ceremonies on Sunday, July 30,
prior to the start of final eliminations. Steve Page, president and
general manager of Infineon Raceway, will present Force with a marble
plaque that will feature his likeness. The plaque will be placed onto
the Wall of Fame, which is located behind the main grandstand and is
accessible to the public.

 

"John certainly has the right name.  He's a Force on the drag strip and
is the most dominant competitor of his era," Page said. "His success,
combined with his personality, has made him one of the most distinctive
and beloved characters in the sports world.  It is an honor to have John
Force on the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame."

 

The Wall of Fame includes competitors from all forms of motor racing at
Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR, NHRA, AMA, open-wheel cars, sports
cars, and more. Other 2006 inductees include Miguel Duhamel and Rich
Oliver from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The Wall of
Fame will also include those who have made significant contributions to
the raceway over the years. A raceway committee oversees the selection
process on an annual basis.