Excerpts from NHRA Press Luncheon in San Francisco
Five drivers from the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series visited the Fior d'Italia restaurant in San Francisco on Wednesday for a luncheon with Northern California media members. Featured drivers included John Force, Gary Scelzi, J.R. Todd, Hillary Will and David Grubnic. Ashley Force, who competes at the divisional level, also attended the luncheon. She is the daughter of John Force. The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series competes at Infineon Raceway this weekend (July 28-30) at the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, presented by Supercuts. Below are excerpts from the press conference. David, you've had some success at Infineon Raceway. Can you talk about your experiences here and what you're looking forward to this weekend? David Grubnic (StriVectin-SD Top Fuel dragster): "I remember the final round at Infineon Raceway in 2001 when they tore up the drag strip because I was in the final round against Kenny Bernstein and he beat me! I guess I was one of the last guys down the old track before they refurbished it. I'm looking forward to a win here, especially coming off of our runner-up finish in Seattle (last weekend). My team is currently fifth in points, and I think we've got a good shot at the championship. Hopefully we'll get that win here that we've been working for for years. We don't care where we are in points during the season - it's only where we finish that matters." Hillary, this is your first year in Top Fuel, talk about your experiences so far this season and your thoughts about racing in Sonoma this weekend. Hillary Will (KB Racing Top Fuel dragster): "I'm really excited about this weekend. It's pretty amazing to pull up to the starting line in a Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster. It wasn't that long ago that I was strapped into my very first race car - a Super Street car - at this very same track. This is where it all started for me and to get a win here would be amazing. I'm learning something every race I go to and I couldn't ask for a better team. My mom has only been to two races since I've been in Top Fuel, and she'll be here this weekend. It'll be great to have her here." J.R., you've been pretty busy since your first Top Fuel win in Denver a few weeks ago (July 16). Tell us about how things have changed and your outlook for the rest of the season. J.R. Todd (Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster): "It's been really exciting since our win in Denver. I'm pleased to get all of the attention - for me and for the sport. The last few races we've been going some rounds and trying to compete for Rookie of the Year. Our goal is to get into the top 10 in points, and I think we can do it. I started in the Junior Dragster category with the NHRA when I was 10, so I have a lot of laps down the drag strip. It's not Top Fuel, but you get to hone your skills and get comfortable out there. I really feel like it's a great place for drivers to start." Gary, as the defending event champion and current NHRA Funny Car champion, you have to look forward to racing at Infineon Raceway, can you tell us about that? Gary Scelzi (Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger): "I started racing in this area years ago as a sportsman racer. I started racing in Fremont and then we went to Sonoma. When I moved to Top Fuel, I could not get a win in Sonoma as a pro. Then I made the move to Funny Car and I got my first Funny Car win here (in 2003) and just kept winning. We won at Denver, which was a track I'd never won at before. It's exciting when your car comes around and my driving is coming back around, too." Things have been very busy for the Force family since the debut of "Driving Force" on A&E. What's it been like for you guys since the show started? Ashley Force (Castrol-Auto Club Top Alcohol Dragster): "It's been quite a ride the last few weeks since the show started, but it's been fun. It's been good to have my sisters with me as a bonding experience, too. I feel bad for dad, though. He's gotten pretty beat up by fans since that first show. He's really not that bad - he just has fits sometimes, and we're working on that. He's a sweetheart." John, what's your perspective on the TV show since its debut? How are things looking for this weekend? John Force (Castrol GTX Ford Mustang Funny Car): "The show's been a lot of work, but we've been having fun. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but on the track we've been getting spanked lately. We're all fighting to get a win. We just need to get away from TV and get back to the track. Gary Scelzi called me the other day and he told me he watched the show and he was going to throw all of his kids' toys away and teach them the right way, just like I did on the show. I just don't like losing. Let me tell you a true story about that. When I lost the championship to Cruz Pedregon (1992), we were driving to Seattle with the family and we pulled into a McDonald's to eat. The kids were in the back seat and one of them said, 'Oh, look at the little car we got," and handed it up to me. It was a toy car of Cruz's car. I jumped out of the car and jumped up and down on this tiny car and had a fit. I just couldn't take it anymore." "I'm excited to be back. I love Sonoma. I used to be a champion, but now I'm just Ashley's dad, since the show. The show is a lot of work, but it's an opportunity to grow the sport. We're NASCAR's little brother and we're tired of it. We're going after them. With the women coming up in our sport, it's a chance for women to really grow and it's a chance for corporate America to see what they're doing and get involved."