NEFF WANTS TO EXPLODE UP POINT STANDINGS, NOT ON TRACK

John Force RacingNeff Pre-Race PackageEvent: 9h annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, 8th of 24 events in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.Site: Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.Dates: May 15-17, 2009* * * *NEFF WANTS TO EXPLODE UP POINT STANDINGS, NOT ON TRACK “It was trucking along then the next thing I knew boom. It happened super fast. It didn’t give me any warning at all.�?? – Mike Neff, after first round explosion at 2009 NHRA Midwest Nationals“I’m saying, ‘Let’s go! Let’s go!’ Rick Stewart is in front of us motioning to go but when we couldn’t get the body up (crew chief John) Medlen couldn’t get in there and arm all the switches which I didn’t know he armed those things. I’m just saying go let’s go. So naturally none of the system worked and that is why it backfired (exploded),�?? said Neff, after last year’s explosion in the Bristol final versus Melanie Troxel.* * * *Team info at www.johnforceracing.comFollow John Force Racing at www.twitter.com/jfr_racingFollow John Force RaceStation store at www.twitter.com/JFRaceStationFollow Courtney Force at www.twitter.com/courtneyforce****The DriverMike Neff, 42, driver of the Ford Drive One Mustang, is entering his second season with high expectations. He is currently tied with teammate Robert Hight in 10th place in Full Throttle point standings. This season he has reached one final (Phoenix). In his rookie year he reached three finals, was No. 1 qualifier twice and qualified for the Countdown to 1 championship race. Neff took over the driving duties for the late Eric Medlen, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a testing accident in March of 2007. * * * *Mike Neff By the Numbers:1, 1, and 1 – Number of appearances as a driver at Thunder Valley, Number of No. 1 qual. and Number for finals reached (2008)1 – Number of final rounds in 2009, Phoenix2 – Number of races Neff was the driver and crew chief this season, Phoenix and Gainesville3 – Number of JFR drivers who have been named Auto Club Road to the Future Award winners, most recently Mike Neff was honored as the professional rookie of the year (Robert Hight, 2005 and Ashley Force Hood, 2007)4 – Number of finals Mike Neff has reached in his young career, most recently Phoenix, February 200910 – Neff’s position in the Full Throttle point standings * * * *Full Throttle Point Standings (After seven of 24 Full Throttle events)FUNNY CAR -1. Ron Capps, 562; 2. Del Worsham, 443; 3. Tony Pedregon, 437; 4. Jack Beckman, 427; 4. Ashley Force Hood, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, 427; 6. Matt Hagan, 413; 7. Bob Tasca III, 375; 8. John Force, Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang, 363; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 349;10. Robert Hight, AAA Ford Mustang, 337; 10. Mike Neff, Ford Drive One Mustang, 337.TOP FUEL – 1. Antron Brown, 561; 2. Tony Schumacher, 543; 3. Brandon Bernstein, 517; 4. Cory McClenathan, 453; 5. Morgan Lucas, 437; 6. Larry Dixon, 402; 7. Shawn Langdon, 375; 8. Spencer Massey, 363; 9. Doug Kalitta, 320; 10. Joe Hartley, 302.PRO STOCK – 1. Jeg Coughlin, 637; 2. Jason Line, 588; 3. Mike Edwards, 498; 4. Greg Anderson, 478; 5. Greg Stanfield, 394; 6. Allen Johnson, 381; 7. Ron Krisher, 345; 8. Kurt Johnson, 338; 9. Rickie Jones, 304; 10. Larry Morgan, 263.****Track Records:Top Fuel- 4.477 seconds by Tony Schumacher, April '04; 331.53 mph by Doug Kalitta, April '06Funny Car- 4.746 seconds by Robert Hight, Auto Club Ford Mustang, May ‘08; 329.26 mph by Gary Scelzi, April '05Pro Stock- 6.674 seconds by Warren Johnson, May ‘08; 207.43 mph by Johnson, May '08 (*performance records will not be officially recorded in Top Fuel and Funny Car at this event) ****Race Schedule:Friday – Funny Car Qualifying:    5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saturday – Funny Car Qualifying:    1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.Sunday – Pre-race:                       10:00 a.m.Final eliminations:          11:00 a.m.* * * *Television:Saturday, May 16, Professional Qualifying        6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET (ESPN2)Sunday, May 17, Professional Eliminations       7:00 PM - 10:30 PM ET (ESPN2)Wednesday, May 20, Repeat Pro Eliminations   2:00 AM - 4:00 AM ET (ESPN2)Team PR and Marketing Contacts:Dave Densmore, PR                           Elon Werner, PR                                 
Denswood Sports                                                John Force Racing, Inc.               214-244-0008                                      214-244-1184 denswood@aol.com                          Elon@johnforceracing.com       Chad Light                                            Kelly AntonelliJohn Force Racing, Inc.                      John Force Racing, Inc.714-921-8123                                      317-858-8900Chad@johnforceracing.com            Kelly@johnforceracing.comSponsor PR Contacts: Rick Lalor                              Lori Anne Gola                     Kevin KennedyAuto Club of SC                   BP Lubricants                       Ford Racing                
714-885-2085                      973-633-2393                      313-203-7108lalor.rick@aaa-calif.com    lorianne.gola@bp.com      kkennedy@pcgcampbell.com MIKE NEFFNEFF WANTS TO EXPLODE UP POINT STANDINGS, NOT ON TRACKBRISTOL (May 4, 2009) --- Last year Mike Neff made a statement early in his rookie season when he raced his then Old Spice sponsored Ford Mustang to the No. 1 qualifying position and on race day he defeated veterans Tony Bartone, Ron Capps, and Robert Hight en route to his second consecutive final round appearance of the season.He had the baddest hot rod on the property but a surprise mechanical problem in the final round at Bristol Dragway led to an upset loss against Melanie Troxel. As Neff’s Ford Mustang pulled up to stage his team was unable to lift his Mustang body. As a result crew chief John Medlen was unable to make critical engine adjustments to his BOSS 500 Ford motor. At the top end Neff’s Mustang erupted in flames as Troxel pedaled and drove past him.“I’m saying ‘Let’s go! Let’s go!’ (NHRA Official Starter) Rick Stewart is in front of us motioning to go but when we couldn’t get the body up Medlen couldn’t get in there and arm all the switches which I didn’t know he armed those things. I’m just saying go let’s go. So naturally none of the system worked and that is why it backfired (exploded),�?? said an exasperated Neff from the top end. His first round victory in Bristol last season was also the 500th round win for crew chief John Medlen.Neff capped his rookie season by picking up the 2008 Auto Club Road to the Future Award, awarded each season to the top professional rookie performer. Neff followed in teammates Ashley Force Hood (2007) and Robert Hight (2005) footsteps in winning the award. His spectacular final round versus Troxel while not a win, was one of the highlights that kept his name top of mind for the rest of the season.Two weeks ago in St. Louis Neff’s now Ford Drive One sponsored Mustang was on tremendous run in the first round versus Tim Wilkerson when according to an early evaluation by crew chief John Medlen the number two piston loaded up and punched out dislodging the supercharger and surprising the sophomore driver Neff.“It was trucking along then the next thing I knew boom. It happened super fast. It didn’t give me any warning at all,�?? said Neff.It was another setback for Neff and crew chief John Medlen considering the No. 2 piston had not previously been a problem. The good news is between these two world champion crew chiefs they will get to the bottom of the problem in time for the 9th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.So far this season Neff has continued to improve as a driver with a prime example being his stellar .017 reaction time versus Wilkerson in the first round in St. Louis. Neff is getting more comfortable behind the wheel and that will pose problems as the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads towards the halfway point of the regular season. With all John Force Racing Mustangs in the Top Ten Neff wants to move up into the top half of the Top Ten to have a shot at this first championship as a driver.####Did you know…-          Mike Neff was the on-location guest Tuesday April 28th on Auto Sport Radio with host Don Kay in Indianapolis (www.autosportradio.com) -          Neff will also be a featured driver at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals press conference prior to the event at Bristol Dragway.-          When Neff does capture his first win for John Force Racing he will become the seventh different drivers to have won Funny Car races on the NHRA tour – John Force, Tony Pedregon, Gary Densham, Robert Hight Ashley Force and the late Eric Medlen.-          A strong 2008 rookie season for Neff allowed him to continue another John Force Racing tradition becoming the third John Force Racing, Inc., driver in four years to win the Auto Club’s Road to the Future Award as the NHRA Rookie of the Year following Robert Hight (2005) and Ashley Force (2007). Get team info here: www.johnforceracing.comFollow John Force Racing at www.twitter.com/jfr_racing