JFR DRIVERS AND FANS ENJOY AUTO CLUB CRUISE

  JFR DRIVERS AND FANS ENJOY AUTO CLUB CRUISEYORBA LINDA, CA (January 7, 2010) --- Hundreds of fans rang in the New Year in style enjoying the camaraderie of the John Force Racing Fan Cruise aboard the Carnival Elation cruise ship. Sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California fans enjoyed talking with all the drivers representing John Force Racing both in the scheduled Meet & Greets as well as casual meetings around the pool on the Lido Deck.The entire stable of John Force Racing drivers was available throughout the cruise. On the first day at sea John Force, Mike Neff, Brittany Force and Courtney Force talked about the 2009 season as well as their goals and plans for 2010. Courtney and Brittany were repeatedly asked when they might move up to the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and both explained that school was their number one priority for now as well as continuing to develop their driving skills behind the wheel of their BrandSource backed Top Alcohol Dragsters."My ultimate goal would be to finish college in a year with my Bachelor's degree in Communications and Entertainment Studies at Cal State Fullerton then I would love to move into the Pro categories, either driving a Top Fuel Dragster or Funny Car.  I know I want to follow in my sister's (Ashley Force Hood) footsteps by racing professionally but that is depending on whatever ride I can get," explained Courtney Force.Everyone went ashore in Cabo San Lucas enjoying a full day on the beach or in the shops that seemed to overwhelm even the strongest shopper. Fans fanned out throughout the city but many wound up at the famed Sammy Hagar-owned restaurant and bar, Cabo Wabo. The restaurant was also a must see for many of the John Force Racing group.On the last day at sea fans we treated to a Q&A session with 2009 Funny Car champion Robert Hight as well as championship runner-up Ashley Force Hood and Castrol GTX co-crew chief Dean “Guido�?? Antonelli. Questions ranged from how Robert was enjoying being the new champion to how Ashley’s cat Simba was getting along with the new feline addition to the family, Gizmo.Team owner John Force never missed a chance to talk with the fans or plug his sponsors. He was most excited about the sponsor relationships that have developed over the years including the BrandSource “Win with Force�?? sweepstakes that sent Wendy Kruz of Elgin, South Carolina on the Auto Club Fan Cruise for free. “What is cool for me personally, in the overall scheme of racing is that we do our job for the sponsors. To have a fan from another sponsor, BrandSource, win a contest and then come on the Auto Club Cruise is awesome. I had a lot of fun and it gave me the opportunity to get out of a rut. It seems like all you do is work sometimes but to be able to combine work and pleasure as well as spend time with my family has been great. I have loved spending time with my other family, the fans, too,�?? said John Force.“It took me about a day to unwind and to let go but I enjoyed being up on the decks. The food was unbelievable. I loved seeing the fans. So many would say ‘We are so sorry to bother you,’ but I want to be bothered. We love it and we loved being on the cruise with them. It was an experience. I truly enjoyed it.�??Wendy Kruz’s name was selected from over 40,000 BrandSource entries at the conclusion of the 2009 season. The first time cruise participant is a long-time John Force fan. “It has been more than I imagined. I had so much fun it was unbelievable. I’ve been a fan of John Force since my husband, Mark, introduced me to drag racing in 1999. I love all the drivers Mike Neff, Ashley Force Hood, Robert Hight and of course John Force. It was great to see them as people on the cruise. They are just like us and that is what we got to see. If you asked me to pick my favorite moment from the cruise I couldn’t. The whole weekend was just great,�?? said Wendy Kruz.“BrandSource was very excited to hear that Wendy and her family had such a great time on the John Force Racing Fan Cruise as our Grand Prize Winner in the 2009 BrandSource “Win with Force�?? Sweepstakes.  We know from her winning entry at the Charlotte NHRA race, that they are big fans of the NHRA and John and Ashley Force and all of their team drivers.  The thousands of BrandSource dealers that support the “Win with Force�?? Sweepstakes were proud to partner with AAA Auto Club of So. California to provide an experience of a lifetime for Wendy and her family,�?? said Bob Lawrence, BrandSource CEO.Throughout the cruise fans spent time chatting with representatives from John Force Racing and enjoying some down time before the busy 2010 racing season kicks off in a few short weeks at the 50th annual Winternationals in Pomona. 2009 Funny Car champion Robert Hight summed up everyone’s mood as the ship pulled back into port in San Diego.“The Auto Club JFR Fan Cruise was a great experience but now it is time to go back to work. Spending time with all the fans was awesome but I am ready to get into the shop and get everything ready for the 2010 NHRA season. I know my Auto Club team will be ready and we are really excited about getting back on the track,�?? said Hight.
PHOTOS ATTACHED: 
Photo 1 - BrandSource "Win with Force" sweepstakes winner Wendy Kruz and her husband Mark pose with 14-time Funny Car champion John Force
Photo 2 - One of the highlights of the Auto Club Fan Cruise was the Meet & Greet session with Robert Hight, Ashley Force Hood and Dean "Guido" Antonelli
For additional information on John Force Racing contact Elon Werner, 214-244-1184 or Dave Densmore, 214-244-0008.