TEAM CASTROL/JOHN AND ASHLEY PRE-RACE FOR SONOMA
TEAM CASTROL JOHN FORCE/ASHLEY FORCE HOOD Pre-Race Package for the 22nd annual FRAM/Autolite NHRA Nationals July 24-26, 2009 Infineon Raceway at Sears Point Sonoma, Calif. 15th event in the Countdown to the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Championship * * * * follow John Force Racing at _www.twitter.com/jfr_racing_ (http://www.twitter.com/jfr_racing) * * * * OVERVIEW: Track record-holder Ashley Force Hood (4.094 seconds) tries to extend the John Force Racing, Inc., winning streak at Infineon Raceway where the late Eric Medlen earned one of his last victories before the testing crash that claimed his life in March, 2007. Medlen, who grew up in nearby Oakdale, where he split his time between racing and rodeo, drove the Castrol SYNTEC Ford to victory in the 2006 FRAM/Autolite Nationals. John Force earned an emotional follow-up victory in the Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford in 2007 and Robert “Top Gun�?? Hight made it three-in-a-row at the wheel of the Auto Club Ford in 2008. Force Hood can clinch a berth in the NHRA playoffs simply by qualifying for the the 16-car show, thus becoming the first JFR driver to do so. * * * * JFR RACING HISTORY AT INFINEON RACEWAY: Wins – 9, seven by John Force for Castrol GTX (1990-1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2007); one by Eric Medlen for Castrol SYNTEC (2006); one by Robert Hight for the Automobile Club of Southern California (2008). Last year – Robert “Top Gun�?? Hight extended fallen teammate Eric Medlen’ s legacy by becoming the third straight JFR driver to win on Medlen’s home track. John Force and Mike Neff were beaten in round one and Ashley Force Hood lasted only one round longer in her Castrol GTX Mustang. Notable #1 –.Robert Hight owns the track record at the standard quarter mile distance (4.738 seconds); Ashley Force Hood at 1,000 feet (4.094 seconds). Notable #2 – Ashley qualified No. 1 for the first time in her pro career on the same track on which she recorded her career best speed in the Jerry Darien-prepared Castrol Top Alcohol Dragster (275 mph). Notable #3 – John Force has won more races at Infineon than any other pro driver and on each occasion, defeated a different driver in the final round – seven wins, seven different victims. * * * * PRO POINTS (2009 NHRA Full Throttle Series point standings): Funny Car – 1. Ron Capps, NAPA Dodge Charger, 1039; 2. Ashley Force Hood, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, 1018; 3. Tony Pedregon, Q Racing Chevrolet, 1009; 4. Jack Beckman, Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger, 855; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang, 804; 6. Del Worsham, Al-Anabi Toyota Solara, 791; 7. Bob Tasca III, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang, 787; 8. John Force, Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang, 739; 9. Mike Neff, Ford Drive One Ford Mustang, 683; 10. Matt Hagan, Shelor Motor Mile Dodge Charger, 669. Also, 11. Cruz Pedregon, Advance Toyota Solara, 662; 12. Robert Hight, Auto Club of Southern California Ford Mustang, 626. Top Fuel – 1. Antron Brown, Matco Tools dragster, 1168; 2. Tony Schumacher, U.S. Army dragster, 1031; 3. Larry Dixon, Al-Anabi dragster, 998; 4. Brandon Bernstein, Budweiser dragster, 913; 5. Spencer Massey, US Smokeless Tobacco dragster, 819; 6. Cory McClenathan, Fram dragster, 814; 7. Shawn Langdon, Lucas Oil dragster, 773; 8. Morgan Lucas, Geico Insurance dragster, 773; 9. Doug Kalitta, Kalitta Racing dragster, 666; 10. Clay Millican, Nitrofish dragster, 567. Pro Stock – 1. Jeg Coughlin Jr., Jeg’s Chevrolet Cobalt, 1199; 2. Mike Edwards, Young Life/Penhall Pontiac, 1179; 3. Jason Line, Summit Racing Pontiac GXP, 1086; 4. Greg Anderson, Summit Racing Pontiac GXP, 951; 5. Allen Johnson, Team Mopar Dodge Stratus, 933; 6. Greg Stanfield, Attitude Apparel Pontiac GXP, 744; 7. Ron Krisher, Valvoline Chevrolet Cobalt, 704; 8. Kurt Johnson, ACDelco Chevrolet Cobalt, 668; 9. Rickie Jones, Quarter-Max/RJ Race Cars Dodge Stratus, 608; 10. Warren Johnson, K&N Filters Pontiac GXP, 575. Pro Stock Motorcycle – 1. Eddie Krawiec, Englishtown, N.J., Harley-Davidson V-Rod, 739; 2. Andrew Hines, Brownsburg, Ind., Harley-Davidson V-Rod, 651; 3. Matt Smith, King, N.C., Suzuki, 559; 4. Craig Treble, Harvey, La., Suzuki, 535; 5. Douglas Horne, Aberdeen, Md., Buell, 506; 6. Hector Arana, Milltown, Ind., Buell, 472; 7. Matt Guidera, Loomis, Calif., Buell, 446; 8. Steve Johnson, Birmingham, Ala., Suzuki, 360; 9. Shawn Gann, Stoneville, N.C., Buell, 356; 10. Karen Stoffer, Smith, Nev., Suzuki, 351. * * * * TELEVISION (all on ESPN2, all times Eastern Daylight): Qualifying – Saturday, July 25, 6-8 p.m. NHRA RaceDay – Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m. Race Highlights – Sunday, July 26, 9 p.m.-12 midnight Repeat race highlights – Wednesday, July 29, 3-5 a.m. * * * * NEXT EVENTS (2009 NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship): 28th annual Lucas Oil Nationals, Aug. 14-16, Brainerd, Minn. 25th annual Toyo Tires Nationals, Aug. 21-23, Reading, Pa. 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Sept. 2-7, Indianapolis, Ind. 2nd annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, Sept. 18-20, Charlotte, N.C. 24th annual O’Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall Nationals, Sept. 25-27, Dallas, Texas * * * * CONTACTS: JFR Team PR and Marketing: Dave Densmore Elon Werner 214-244-0008 214-244-1184 _denswood@aol.com_ (mailto:denswood@aol.com) _elon@johnforceracing.com_ (mailto:elon@johnforceracing.com) Kelly Antonelli Chad Light Andrew Hagstrom 317-858-8900 714-921-8123 714-326-3450 _kelly@johnforceracing.com_ (mailto:kelly@johnforceracing.com) _chad@johnforceracing.com_ (mailto:chad@johnforceracing.com) Sponsor PR: Lori Anne Gola Kevin Kennedy Rick Lalor BP/Castrol Ford Racing Auto Club 973-633-2393 313-203-7108 714-885-2085 _lorianne.gola@bp.com_ (mailto:lorianne.gola@bp.com) _kkennedy@pcgcampbell.com_ (mailto:kkennedy@pcgcampbell.com) _lalor.rick@aaa-calif.com_ (mailto:lalor.rick@aaa-calif.com) * * * * For photo images or further information, contact one of the representatives above or visit us at _www.johnforceracing.com_ (http://www.johnforceracing.com/) . * * * * For Immediate Release FOR FORCE, NO EXCUSES BUT NO WINS IN 2009 14-Time Champ Still Thinks He Can Win Title SONOMA, Calif. – Although he reached the semifinals last week at Seattle, Wash., ending two years of complete winless-ness on the NHRA's Western Swing, drag racing icon John Force rolls into Infineon Raceway for this week's 22nd annual FRAM/Autolite Nationals with a sum total of zero tour victories on his 2009 resume. For a guy who's won 126 tour events and 14 championships, who in 1996 won 13 of the 19 races comprising the NHRA series, that kind of production – or lack thereof – might indicate a deterioration of abilities. However, it would be tough to find anyone inside the Funny Car family bold enough to make that statement. Moreover, at age 60, Force still believes he can win races AND win the championship at the wheel of the aptly-named Castrol GTX® High Mileage™ Ford Mustang. The co-crew chiefs on that 300 mile-an-hour hybrid, Austin Coil and Bernie Fedderly, also are sexagenarians, meaning they're sixty-somethings. Force, who hasn't been to a final round in a career worst 29 straight races, rolls into the Bay Area in eighth place in Full Throttle points, still very much in the hunt for one of the 10 starting spots in the NHRA's Countdown to the Championship playoffs. -more- Force/FRAM Nationals 2222 "We're not where we want to be right now," Force said, "but trust me, we're not far off. I'm still confident I can win the championship. I'm no miracle worker who can just make it happen on my own, but I think we can do it as a team, me and Coil and Bernie and my guys. "To be honest, the car has been off a little and we have some new crew guys but, as a driver, I couldn't feel better physically. I go to the gym every day, have ever since I came back from my crash. I have no excuses. In fact, I've named this the No Excuses Tour.'" Nevertheless, to lock up a berth in the Countdown and secure an opportunity to race for his 15th individual title, Force still has a little work to do. He needs to win rounds to put distance between himself and the drivers immediately behind him in the point standings. Perhaps more importantly, he needs to win a race, if only for his mental well-being. The 14-time Auto Racing All-America selection hasn't gone to the winners' circle since June 1, 2008 when he prevailed in the O'Reilly Summer Nationals at Topeka, Kan. Thus far, that's his only victory since coming back from injuries suffered in a Sept., 2007, crash in Dallas, Texas. "I wouldn't be out here if I didn't think I could win," said the seven-time FRAM/Autolite Nationals champion. * * * * Did You Know? – John is trying to extend to a record-setting 23 the number of consecutive seasons in which he has won at least one NHRA tour event and to 25 the number of successive years in which he has reached at least one final round. He currently shares the records (22 and 24, respectively) with Warren Johnson. – John's Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford and all the other JFR Mustangs are carrying the logo of the Los Angeles-based Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program. John's outside general counsel, Michael Sherman, is on the Board of Directors. "That kind of cancer, the kind that attacks kids, really gets me," Force said. "If putting a decal on my Funny Car will help them get more attention and maybe some more donations, then that's the thing to do." – John hasn't qualified No. 1 since Sept. 1, 2006 at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, Ind. That's a span of 63 races, the longest he has gone without a No. 1 start in his entire pro career. John last qualified No. 1 at Infineon in 2004. Overall, he's qualified No. 1 seven times. – Last year, John was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in Novi, Mich. * * * * At Infineon Raceway: – When he won the 2007 FRAM/Autolite Nationals, it was only the second time in his career that John won a tour event from a double digit starting spot. The only other time was 1995 when he started 12th at Phoenix. John has won 92 of his record 126 events from either No. 1 (55), No. 2 (18) or No. 3 (19) start. – John's first win at Sonoma was in 1990 and his last was in 2007. That's 17 years between the first and most recent. Only longer streak is Brainerd, 1988-2007. – With two rounds wins, Sonoma would become the 10th different event in which John has won at least 50 rounds of racing. – John has beaten a different opponent to win each of his seven titles in the FRAM/Autolite Nationals: Ed McCulloch, Ron Capps, Tony Pedregon, Cruz Pedregon, Chuck Etchells, Bruce Larson and Del Worsham. Force and Coil: – Over the 25 years they have been together, John Force and Austin Coil have gone to the final round in 198 of 479 NHRA events (41.6 per cent). – Force and Coil were winless in their first 31 races together, finally earning a breakthrough win on June 28, 1987 at Montreal, Canada. – En route to 14 NHRA championships and 126 tour victories, there have been three constants – Force, Coil and Castrol. -www.johnforceracing.com- For more information about Castrol-branded products and services, please visit us at Castrol.com/US Force/FRAM Nationals 3333 FORCE's Edge Overall NHRA records (and Funny Car division records) Most career victories (126) Most series championships (14) Most career final rounds (202) Most career rounds won (1028) Most consecutive series championships (10, 1993-2002) Most consecutive seasons with one or more victories (22)* Most consecutive seasons with at least one final round appearance (24)* Most consecutive seasons with multiple tour victories (18, 1990-2007) Most consecutive national events without a DNQ (395, 1988-2007) Most consecutive Top 10 seasons (24) Highest winning percentage, one season (91.5%, 65-6) *tied with Warren Johnson, Pro Stock Other NHRA Funny Car division records Most final rounds, one season (16, 1996) Most victories, one season (13, 1996) Most rounds won, one season (65, 1996) Most career No. 1 starts (131) Most No. 1 starts, one season (11, 1996) Most consecutive final round appearances, one event (nine, 1992-2000, Atlanta, Ga.) Career starts (516) Awards Driver of the Year (1996) Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2008 inductee) AARWBA Auto Racing All-America Team (14 times, 1990, 1993-2002, 2004-2006) Jerry Titus Memorial Award (most AARWBA votes, 4 times, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002) AARWBA Comeback Award (2008) Speed TV Comeback Award (2008) SAE Motorsports Achievement Award (2008) AutoSport Magazine's John Bolster Award for lifetime achievement (2005) Force/FRAM Nationals 4444 Milestones First round win, over Tom McEwen, June 1, 1979, Cajun Nationals, Baton Rouge, La. First No. 1 qualifier, May 25, 1986, Cajun Nationals, Baton Rouge, La. First tour victory, June 28, 1987, Le Grandnational Molson, Montreal, Canada First Funny Car driver to break 4.90 second barrier, July 6, 1996, Topeka, Kan. First drag racer to win Driver of the Year award for all of American motor sports (1996) First Funny Car driver to break 4.80 second barrier, Oct. 24, 1998, Dallas, Texas First (and only) drag racer to win 100 events, April 14, 2002, Houston, Texas First Funny Car driver to break 4.70 second barrier, Oct. 2, 2004, Joliet, Ill. No. 2 (behind Don Garlits) in balloting to determine Top 50 drivers in NHRA's first 50 years (2001) First (and only) drag racer to win 1,000 racing rounds, May 4, 2008, Madison, Ill. JOHN FORCE By the Numbers 1 Driver of the Year award (1996, the first drag racer ever so honored). 3 screws securing ankle bones from compound fracture suffered in Sept. 23, 2007 crash at Dallas, Texas. 5 seasons with 10 or more tour victories (1993-94, 1996, 1999-2000). 7 different opponents beaten in FRAM/Autolite final rounds. 8 current position in Full Throttle points. 9 runner-up finishes before winning for the first time. 10 straight Funny Car titles (1993-2002). 13 drivers among the 122 against whom he has raced who enjoy a winning record. 14 times named to AARWBA Auto Racing All-America Team. 22 consecutive seasons with at least one NHRA tour victory. 25 consecutive Top 10 finishes. 1028 competitive rounds won. -www.johnforceracing.com- For more information about Castrol-branded products and services, please visit us at Castrol.com/US For Immediate Release FORCE HOOD ON VERGE OF CLINCHING BERTH Champ's Daughter Aims for Seventh Final Round in 12 Races SONOMA, Calif. – Ashley Force Hood need only qualify her Castrol GTX® Ford Mustang for Sunday's 22nd annual FRAM/Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway to become the first John Force Racing driver to lock up one of the 10 starting spots in the NHRA's Countdown to One. Based on her performance this season, which includes six final round appearances in the last 11 NHRA tour events, Force Hood's participation in the playoffs is a virtual certainty. Suddenly, though, it is an achievement that's not quite as meaningful as it might have been just three months ago. The fact is, her team's success has compelled the former high school cheerleader to re-evaluate and redefine her goals and those of her team. "Usually, you set your goals and then try to achieve them," said the 26-year-old graduate of Cal State-Fullerton, "but I think we've really outdone ourselves this year. I think we went past what we projected. If anything, we were guilty of limiting ourselves. "When we suddenly found ourselves going rounds every race and going to finals and leading the points, we talked about it and decided that just because we're only a three-year-old team, there's no reason why we can't have dreams for the championship," said the daughter of 14-time champion John Force. -more- Ashley/FRAM Nationals 2222 "Maybe some people think that's crazy considering we're racing people who have been racing longer than I've been alive," she said, "(but) sometimes it's not just about how long you've been doing it. "Obviously that helps a lot, but I think when you have a group that really wants it bad enough that the passion may be a lot more important than the skills. "I was reading the Michael Jordan book and he said he would always rather play with a group with less skills and more passion than a team of the best players in the world who can't get along together and work together. "I really think that describes our team. We might have been a newer group to start with, but we so wanted to succeed together that it made our learning curve a lot quicker," said the two-time tour winner, the only Funny Car driver to have led the Full Throttle points each of the last two seasons. "We want to go after this championship," she said. "There's no reason not to do that. Obviously, you're always trying to win, but I think there was a time when we thought we were a new team and we didn't need to set the bar too high. "Last season, we were randomly doing good. This season the difference is that we've been consistently doing good and we're seeing other teams struggle to do that and we thought, why not?' So that's our goal; that's what we're going after. We want race wins but, more than anything else, we want round wins because that's what adds up to a championship." * * * * Did You Know? – Ashley is the Infineon Raceway record holder at the 1,000 foot distance at 4.094 seconds, a mark she set last year in qualifying No. 1 for the first time in the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang – Ashley was the 2008 winner of the Automobile Club of Southern California's Road to the Future Award as the NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year. – Ashley was a semifinals at Sonoma in 2004 and 2005 in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. Ashley's Castrol GTX Mustang was the fastest Funny Car at the 1,000 foot distance in 2008 (310.05 mph) and is the fastest at the same distance this year (312.13 mph). – Ashley was one of only four Funny Car points leaders last year along with teammate Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson and eventual champion Cruz Pedregon. She's the only Funny Car driver to have led the points each of the last two years. – Ashley and her husband, Dan Hood, are traveling the Western Swing in a 34-foot Bounder motor home by Fleetwood from El Monte RV Center. The couple will travel approximately 2,115 miles. In support of the Hoods, El Monte RV is offering exclusive discounts to the first 100 fans that rent an El Monte RV at _www.elmonterv.com_ (http://www.elmonterv.com/) Off the Track: – Ashley was recognized in 2008 as the Female Athlete of the Year by the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation in Los Angeles. – Ashley was among a group of drivers and NHRA sponsors who participated in the Opening Bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange on June 10. She was joined by BP/Castrol executive Marci Brand, Regional Vice-President, Automotive Americas, as well as by drivers Antron Brown, Bob Tasca III, Morgan Lucas, Karen Stoffer, Tony Pedregon and Eddie Krawiec. – Ashley is racing a special edition Castrol GTX Ford Mustang this week in a promotion to help raise awareness of a charity affiliated with BrandSource. – Ashley was one of the stars of Driving Force, a real life series that aired for two seasons on A&E Network and focused on her development as a race car driver. -www.johnforceracing.com- For more information about Castrol-branded products and services, please visit us at Castrol.com/US **************Dell Deals: Treat yourself to a sweet deal on popular laptops! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1223096155x1201715982/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Faltfarm.mediaplex.com%2Fad%2Fck%2F12309%2D81939%2D1629%2D6)