8-TIME CARQUEST NATIONAL WINNER JOHN FORCE READY FOR RACE IN DESERT
PHOENIX (February 24, 2016) —- Even though John Force’s last victory at the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals happened in 2005 the eight-time winner knows that the winner’s circle is always right around the corner. Force raced to seven wins in eight seasons at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park from 1994 through 2001. In addition to those wins Force also has five additional runner-up finishes most recently in 2010 the year he won his 15th Mello Yello Funny Car championship. The winningest driver in NHRA history enjoys racing in Phoenix and is eager to get to the track this weekend for the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.
“I have had a lot of success at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. We have match-raced there, tested there and I’ve won the national event there. I am part Indian from my mom who was from Oklahoma and I love being in the desert. My hot rod ran good in testing a few weeks ago and we were pretty good in Pomona to start the season. I love being around these young kids on my team and they give me heart,” said Force, who currently sits No. 4 in the Mello Yello Funny Car points.
Last year was a struggle for Force with the switch to a new manufacturer and a new primary sponsor for over half the races with PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant. The remaining races where picked up by Chevrolet, Traxxas, and Lucas Oil but in 2016 Force is excited to be in the blue PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for the full season. The marketing partnership has grown and is expanding thanks to the efforts of Bryan Emrich, PEAK Chief Marketing officer and Force’s salesmanship.
“Bryan Emrich the Chief Marketing Officer for PEAK told me when we started working with PEAK that we were going to market differently. Boy has he proven it since B to B is what it is all about. Seeing my Funny Car emblazed with Republic Services on the side is exciting. I am from the old world,” said John Force, 143-time Funny Car winner. “I have done everything from selling shoes to working at Taco Bell and Denny’s. I drive a race car now but I have delivered money all over downtown LA with Garrett Freight Liners that came from the mint in Denver. I have never driven a trash truck and I am hoping to get the opportunity to ride along or drive a Republic Services truck when we are in Phoenix.”
For Force working with sponsors comes as naturally as turning on win lights. Last year Force picked up two wins in four final round appearances. For many drivers that would be a solid season but for a driver who has amassed 143 wins over the past three decades Force is looking for a turn-around season in 2016. He knows that his young team led by second year crew chief Jon Schaffer is up to the task.
“Last year we had a new car, new sponsors and I had a whole new team led by Jon Schaffer. He really impressed me with his work ethic and how well he worked with our brain-trust led by Mike Neff. I feel really good about this season and I think you saw good results in Pomona. We are running with everybody. Robert is quick and so is Courtney. My hot rod was running good in qualifying and on race day so we will be in the hunt this weekend,” added Force.
“I am excited to be starting the race week at Henry Brown Chevrolet in Casa Grande on Thursday night. Robert and I will be there from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m. signing autographs and then we will get to work at the race track on Friday.”