TEAM CASTROL/JOHN AND ASHLEY PRE-RACE PACKAGE FOR
DALLAS
TEAM CASTROL
NHRA COUNTDOWN TO 1 PLAYOFFS
Race 2 of 6
O’Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall Nationals
The Texas Motorplex, Dallas, Texas
Sept. 24-27
Key elements: Like zMax Dragway at Concord, site last week of the first
race in the Countdown, the Texas Motorplex features an all-concrete racing
surface. It was the first all-concrete track in the series when it was built
in 1986 by former Funny Car driver and tour winner Billy Meyer. The track’
s elevation is 500 feet above sea level.
Notable: John Force will be returning to the track for the second time
since his Castrol Ford Mustang was in collision with the Dodge driven by
veteran Kenny Bernstein in the second round of the 2007 event. Although he won
the round, Force suffered career-threatening injuries that kept him in a
Dallas hospital (Baylor University Medical Center) for 27 days.
JFR drivers at the Texas Motorplex:
Races Starts Finals Wins
Won-Lost
Robert Hight 4 3 1 1 (2006) 5-2
FAST FACT: Motorplex record holder at the 1,000 foot distance at 4.063
seconds. His performance on the concrete has been a mixed bag. After
winning from a No. 1 start in 2006, he failed to qualify in 2007; then was No. 1
again in 2008.
Ashley Force 2 2 None None 3-1
FAST FACT: Eliminated in the second round of last year’s race, Ashley
apparently was on her way to a final round match-up with her father in 2007
when his Castrol SYNTEC Ford was in collision with the Dodge of Kenny
Bernstein. As a result, she withdrew from further competition to be with her
family. She won the Top Alcohol Dragster title at the 2004 O’Reilly Fall
Nationals.
John Force
Castrol Nationals 4 4 3 1
11-3
Fall Nationals 22 22 10 6
51-16
All events 26 26 13 7
62-19
FAST FACT: Wins at the O’Reilly Fall Nationals in 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000,
2003 and 2005 and in the Castrol Nationals in 2000. Has driven a Castrol
GTX Funny Car into the semifinals or beyond 12 of the last 17 years in this
race.
Mike Neff 1 0 None None
0-0
FAST FACT: Second appearance as driver, last year DNQed, a misstep that
effectively ended his championship chances.
COUNTDOWN TO ONE POINTS AFTER ONE OF SIX RACES:
FUNNY CAR
1. Tony Pedregon, Q Racing Chevrolet, 2148
2. Ashley Force Hood, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, 2147
3. Robert Hight, Auto Club of Southern California Ford Mustang, 2120
4. Ron Capps, NAPA Dodge Charger, 2115
5. Bob Tasca III, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang, 2112
6. Jack Beckman, Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger, 2103
7. Tim Wilkerson, Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang, 2076
8. John Force, Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang, 2070
9. Del Worsham, Al-Anabi Toyota Solara, 2053
10. Mike Neff, Ford Drive One Ford Mustang, 2045
TOP FUEL
1. Cory McClenathan, Fram dragster, 2162
2. Antron Brown, Matco Tools dragster, 2152
2. Tony Schumacher, U.S. Army dragster, 2152
4. Larry Dixon, Al-Anabi dragster, 2141
5. Shawn Langdon, Lucas Oil dragster, 2113
6. Brandon Bernstein, Budweiser dragster, 2098
7. Spencer Massey, US Smokeless Tobacco dragster, 2076
8. Morgan Lucas, GEICO Insurance dragster, 2065
9. Doug Kalitta, Kalitta Racing dragster, 2042
10. Clay Millican, Nitrofish dragster, 2031
PRO STOCK
1. Mike Edwards, Young Life/Penhall Pontiac, 2198
2. Jeg Coughlin Jr., Jeg’s Chevrolet Cobalt, 2142
3. Greg Stanfield, Attitude Apparel Pontiac GXP, 2136
3. Jason Line, Summit Racing Pontiac GXP, 2136
5. Allen Johnson, Team Mopar Dodge Stratus, 2128
6. Greg Anderson, Summit Racing Pontiac GXP, 2092
7. Kurt Johnson, ACDelco Chevrolet Cobalt, 2079
8. Johnny Gray, Johnny Gray Racing Dodge Stratus, 2053
9. Ron Krisher, Valvoline Chevrolet Cobalt, 2040
10. Rickie Jones, Quarter-Max/RJ Race Cars Dodge Stratus, 2020
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
1. Hector Arana, Milltown, Ind., Buell, 2194
2. Eddie Krawiec, Englishtown, N.J., Harley-Davidson V-Rod, 2185
3. Andrew Hines, Brownsburg, Ind., Harley-Davidson V-Rod, 2125
4. Douglas Horne, Aberdeen, Md., Buell, 2101
5. Karen Stoffer, Smith, Nev., Suzuki, 2094
6. Matt Smith, King, N.C., Suzuki, 2093
7. Shawn Gann, Stoneville, N.C., Buell, 2092
8. Michael Phillips, Baton Rouge, La., Suzuki, 2085
9. Craig Treble, Harvey, La., Suzuki, 2072
10. Matt Guidera, Loomis, Calif., Buell, 2020
* * * *
TELEVISION (all on ESPN2, all times Eastern Daylight):
Qualifying – Sunday, Sept. 27, 12:15-2:15 a.m.
NHRA RaceDay – Sunday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.
Repeat qualifying -- Sunday, Sept. 27, 1-3 p.m.
Race Highlights – Sunday, Sept. 27, 7-10 p.m.
Repeat race highlights – Friday, Oct. 2, 1:30-3:30 a.m.
Sportsman highlights – Sunday, Oct. 4, 6-7 p.m.
* * * *
NEXT EVENTS (2009 NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to One):
22nd annual O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals, Oct. 2-4, Memphis, Tenn.
4th annual NHRA Virginia Nationals, Oct. 9-11, Richmond, Va.
9th annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Las Vegas, Nev.
45th annual Automobile Club Finals, Nov. 12-15, Pomona, Calif.
* * * *
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 Rick Lalor
BP/Castrol Auto Club of Southern California
973-633-2393 714-885-2085
_lorianne.gola@bp.com_ (mailto:lorianne.gola@bp.com)
_lalor.rick@aaa-calif.com_ (mailto:lalor.rick@aaa-calif.com)
* * * *
For Immediate Release
FORCE BACK AT CRASH SITE
IN BID FOR FIRST 2009 WIN
14-Time Series Champ Trying to Extend Streaks
DALLAS, Texas – On a Texas Motorplex track on which he suffered the most
serious injuries of his 32-year driving career, John Force hopes to regain
his competitive health this week when the NHRA Full Throttle pro tour
returns to the Lone Star state for the 24th renewal of the O'Reilly Super Start
Batteries Fall Nationals, second race in the Countdown to One playoffs
It's been just two years since drag racing's biggest winner left
Billy Meyer's Texas track in a medical helicopter after suffering multiple
injuries when his Castrol SYNTEC® Ford Mustang blew a tire and crashed into
Kenny Bernstein's Dodge Charger.
Two years of physical therapy and extra strength training have restored
Force's physical health, but the Hall of Fame driver said he won't feel
complete until he has regained the competitive edge that delivered a record 126
tour victories and 14 championships.
A 14-time Auto Racing All-America selection, Force scoffs at the
suggestion that, at age 60, he has lost the skills that once made him almost
unbeatable.
"I know I can still drive," he said, "and I know I can still win but,
at the end of the day, the proof is in the pudding. We're down to the
last five races (of the season) and time is running out."
At stake for Force is the survival of two remarkable streaks. The
former truck driver has raced in at least one final round every year since
1985 and has won at least once in every season since 1987. That's 24 years
and 22 years, respectively. Thus far this season, though, he's been unable
to advance beyond the semifinals at the wheel of the Castrol GTX® High
Mileageâ„¢ Ford Mustang.
-more-
Force/Texas Motorplex
2222
He also is trying to win his 1,000th competitive round with Austin
Coil as his crew chief. That's 1,000 rounds won in 25 seasons together.
Unfortunately, it's a statistic that means nothing in the NHRA
playoffs, which resume this week with Force 78 points behind Tony Pedregon and 77
behind his daughter, Ashley Force Hood, the highest ranked of the four
John Force Racing qualifiers.
"The only round that makes any difference," Coil has said, "is the
last one. If you won the last one, then there's the chance you can win the
next one and if you happen to be lucky enough to win four-in-a-row, well,
you're back in the winners' circle."
Although it's been 35 races since Force last appeared in a final round,
the 14-time Auto Racing All-America selection doesn't think anyone has yet
been eliminated from championship consideration.
"I think we've got as good a chance as anyone else," he said. "Just
look at what Cruz (Pedregon) did last year. He got hot in the Countdown,
won a couple of races in a row (three) and got the ring. He did the same
thing in 92. We thought we had it won and he came out and won five-in-a-row
and ran us down.
"This year, there's 10 good cars in the Countdown. Any one of them
can win it. Our job is to make sure it's one of these Fords. Robert's
(Robert Hight) race car is back. He's hot right now. But Ashley's had a great
car all year and me and (Mike) Neff are both overdue. "
* * * *
Did You Know?
– Last year, John was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of
America in Novi, Mich. He was joined this year by Texan Kenny Bernstein.
– This is the furthest John ever has gone into a season without at least r
eaching the final round. It's been 35 races since he last appeared in a
final, winning his record 126th tour title at the O'Reilly Summer Nationals
at Topeka, Kan., on June 1, 2008.
– Because he was upset in the first round of last week's Carolinas
Nationals at Charlotte, N.C., John had the opportunity to be one of the four Funny
Car participants in an exhibition that utilized all four of the
all-concrete lanes at zMax Dragway.
For the Record:
– 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's contested at least one final round.
– John hasn't qualified No. 1 since Sept. 1, 2006 at the Mac Tools U.S.
Nationals in Indianapolis, Ind. That's a span of 69 races, the longest such
streak of his pro career.
– By earning one of the 10 starting spots in the NHRA's Countdown to One
playoffs, John secured his record 25th straight Top 10 finish.
– By reaching the semifinals at three of the last four events, John
improved his season record to 19-19, putting himself in position to post a
winning record for the 25th straight year.
– In 25 seasons together, John and crew chief Austin Coil have contested
491 NHRA tour events, DNQed at only seven and compiled a record of 999-358
en route to a record 126 victories.
-www.johnforceracing.com-
For more information about Castrol-branded products and services, please
visit us at Castrol.com/US
Force/Texas Motorplex
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 (1034)
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 (25)
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 (521)
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/Texas Motorplex
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).
2 rounds won last year in first appearance at the Texas Motorplex since
his Sept. 23, 2007 crash.
3 screws securing ankle bones from compound fracture suffered in the
2007 accident.
4 position occupied in championship points following 2007 Fall
Nationals, highest in the last three seasons.
5 seasons with 10 or more tour victories (1993-94, 1996, 1999-2000).
6 semifinal appearances this year without advancing to a single final
round.
7 wins at the Texas Motorplex including one in the now defunct spring
race, the Castrol Nationals.
8 times No. 1 qualifier in the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall
Nationals
9 runner-up finishes before winning for the first time.
10 straight Funny Car titles (1993-2002).
14 times named to AARWBA Auto Racing All-America Team.
22 consecutive seasons with at least one NHRA tour victory.
24 consecutive Top 10 finishes.
126 tour events won
1034 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 HO0D COMES OF AGE
IN FULL THROTTLE FAST LANE
Champ's Daughter One Point Behind Pacesetting Tony Pedregon
DALLAS, Texas – In recounting John Force's career-threatening 2007
crash at the Texas Motorplex, what often is forgotten is that Ashley Force
Hood withdrew from the race to be with her family and, in doing so,
sacrificed what at the time was her best shot at a breakthrough victory on what now
is the NHRA Full Throttle tour.
Although she posted the quickest time of the entire event (4.786
seconds) and would have had lane choice in a semifinal match with Cruz
Pedregon, Force Hood parked her Castrol GTX® Ford Mustang after a crash that left
her father with multiple fractures to his arms, legs, feet and hands.
It would be another six months before the graduate of Cal
State-Fullerton would reach the winners' circle for the first time at a pro at
Atlanta, Ga.
Now, no longer a novelty in a Funny Car division that, before her
arrival, was considered exclusively a " men's club," Ashley returns this week
to Billy Meyer's all-concrete track with an opportunity to fulfill the
destiny she abandoned in 2007.
Just one point behind two-time series champ Tony Pedregon entering
this week's 24th annual O'Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall Nationals, Force
Hood conceivably could roll to the starting line Sunday as the points
leader.
-more-
Ashley/Texas Motorplex
2222
Although a woman hasn't won the Funny Car championship in the 40 years
that one has been contested in the NHRA series, Ashley appears fully capable
of doing so.
After all, she has consistency, momentum and history on her side.
Her Castrol GTX Ford has been the most consistent car on the tour all
season long, carrying her to five No. 1 starts, seven finals rounds and two
victories.
Momentum? She easily could have arrived in Dallas with a two-race
win streak. After becoming the first woman to win the Mac Tools U.S.
Nationals at Indianapolis, Ind., in two different heads-up categories, she just
missed victory last week at Charlotte, N.C., where she dropped a narrow
semifinal decision to brother-in-law and eventual race winner Robert Hight (by
.003 of a second).
As for history, she was the first woman to reach a Funny Car final,
the first to win a race, the first to lead the points and the first to
qualify for the Countdown. Why couldn't she be the first to win the Full
Throttle championship?
The fact is that the former varsity cheerleader at Esperanza High
School (Yorba Linda, Calif.) presently is at the top of her game. Even her
starting line reaction times, which were an initial cause for concern, have
improved dramatically since she changed the way she positions her car at the
starting line.
Now, despite the pressure, she admits she's having fun.
"I love being a driver," she said, "but I'm jealous of the fans
getting to watch all this go down because it's going to be exciting.
"If you look at all the drivers in our category, there's not one
dominant person," she said, "(so) it could be anybody's championship. In this
sport, anything can happen. I think we have a great shot at it."
* * * *
Did You Know?
– Ashley is the only Funny Car driver to have led the points each of the
last two years.
– Ashley was named 2008 Female Athlete of the Year by the Jim Murray
Memorial Foundation.
– 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's Castrol GTX Mustang was the fastest Funny Car at the 1,000 foot
distance in 2008 (310.05 mph) and is the fastest again this year at 312.13
mph, a speed NHRA now recognizes as the official national record at 1,000
feet.
– Ashley won the 2004 Fall Nationals in the Top Alcohol Dragster category
in which youngest sister Courtney, 21, is competing this weekend in the
Sanyo Supercharged HD dragster.
Off the Track:
– Ashley was named 2008 Female Athlete of the Year by the Jim Murray
Memorial Foundation.
– 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, among others.
– Ashley and her cat, Simba, will be featured in a soon-to-be released
coffee table book on athletes and their pets created by award-winning
photographer David Woo.
-www.johnforceracing.com-
For more information about Castrol-branded products and services, please
visit us at Castrol.com/US
