HIGHT, J. FORCE TOP CHEVY FUNNY CARS FRIDAY AT CAROLINA NATIONALS
CHARLOTTE, NC – During the Friday night session at the 8th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals Robert Hight and John Force both posted 4.004 second runs in their Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Cars with Hight running the faster speed, 313.95 to 313.80 mph to grab the No. 5 provisional qualifying spot. Teammate Courtney Force powered her Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro to the No. 10 spot.
In the second session John Force running his special “Thank You Jeff Gordon” Tribute Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car was the provisional No. 1 qualifier for a few minutes but ultimately slipped to No. 6. The day was really about getting set up for the first race of the Countdown and also celebrating the career of a legendary NASCAR driver.
“You are going to have to run faster than that to keep the No. 1 spot. Running this Jeff Gordon car is just the opportunity to thanks to a young kid who years ago I watched when he was getting started. We aren’t close buddies but from one champion to another I wanted to say ‘Thank you Jeff,’” said Force from the top end.
Across the country in Chicago Gordon was asked about the tribute car and the four-time Sprint Cup champion expressed his gratitude and surprise by the gesture from Force.
“I was shocked. That blew me away! I have always been a huge fan of John Force, and I went out to that track (zMax Dragway). I took my kids out there to watch the drag races. I was just so impressed with what they do, and the power in those cars,” said Gordon.
“It (the John Force tribute) was kept a secret from me. I guess my office, my step Dad (John Bickford), Jon Edwards (PR and Communications) and a few others knew about it. It is one thing to see a track or a fan or somebody here within this garage area do something to pay tribute. But when it starts going outside of NASCAR and our sport, that certainly humbles you and make you extremely appreciative of not only what I have done, but people that recognize it – especially when it is someone like John Force.”
In addition to the tribute car all the John Force Racing race cars are carrying a thank you message to Gordon. The rear wing of Robert Hight’s Automobile Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro is adorned with the message and the two-time Carolina Nationals winner was pleased with his team’s performance today. In the final qualifying session he stepped up and ran near the top of the pack finishing the day as the No. 5 qualifier getting that spot on speed over John Force.
“We were trying to run quicker but the key is getting down the track without smoking the tires. We got good information and tomorrow will be a big day. The conditions tomorrow will be good for getting ready for Sunday. We will be towards the back of the pack when we run so we can see how the track is holding up,” said Hight.
Courtney Force ended the first day of qualifying at the NHRA Carolina Nationals in the No. 10 position after two stout passes straight down the race track. The 27-year-old Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver ran 4.114 seconds at 302.75 mph to kick off qualifying for the John Force Racing teams. It was a solid run that gave the team a starting spot for the first race in the 2015 NHRA Countdown to the Championship.
“We’re excited to be out here in Charlotte this weekend. Dad (John Force) is running a brand new Jeff Gordon tribute paint scheme this and the rest of the John Force Racing drivers have a message on our rear wings as well, which is really cool,” Force said.
Force improved on her second time out with a 4.080 ET at 303.30 mph with a cylinder out, but stayed in the No. 10 position going in to Saturday’s additional qualifying sessions. The top 12 in each category will keep their time going into the second day of qualifying, but the rest will start with a clean slate and try to bump into the field for eliminations.
“We laid down two solid passes. We were pushing it harder on the second run. We dropped a hole and it slowed, but we still improved on our first run. It got us qualified in the No. 10 spot. We think the fourth qualifying session will allow us to push the car a little harder and we can try for a run in the low 4.0s. We’re definitely trying to get up there and qualify in the top half for race day.”
“I’m just excited that my team is super motivated this weekend. We’re all pumped up for Charlotte and we have some good conditions out here. Hopefully we can get one of these John Force Racing cars in the Winner’s Circle,” said Force.
The Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster team will have two more runs to step up tomorrow at xMax Dragway. Brittany Force had to pedal her dragster on her final run and that was key to her getting the 12th quickest time of the day and carrying that time over to Saturday. At the end of the day Force was talking with crew chief Todd Smith about adjustments the team would make to get quality runs on the final day of qualifying. Force’s best run of Friday was 4.918 seconds at 159.29 mph and has her one spot in front of Countdown eligible driver Dave Connolly.