NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season has been a return to form for the John Force Racing team. Funny Car standout Courtney Force is the points leader and has a victory, Robert Hight has a win and is fifth in points, and Top Fuel driver Brittany Force won the first two races of her career this season and sits third.

The only driver without a win in the four-car stable is team owner and 16-time world champion John Force, something he hopes can change at this weekend’s 4th annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

It would give Force two straight victories at a track celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016 and remove any sting of three straight first-round losses. The most recent of those came in Topeka, where Force introduced the new Chevrolet Camaro body for his 10,000-horsepower Peak Antifreeze Funny Car.

“I have been at the shop in Indy since after Topeka working with my team,” said Force, who is ninth in Funny Car points and has one final-round appearance in 2016. “It has been great since I usually just come in for a day and try to get something done quickly. We have been able to go through the car and really get me fitted and comfortable.

“I have been able to spend some time with the Aerodine [group] to work on the body I brushed the wall with, and I think we made it a little better. So many people have worked on this new Camaro body, we are excited to get it back at the track. My Camaro will be ready for Epping, and so will I.”

Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were also last year’s winners of the event. The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including live qualifying Saturday and finals coverage Sunday. The race is the ninth of 24 events during the 2016 season and kicks off a string of four straight race weekends.

Seeing the team’s success has been exciting and motivating for Force, but he is just as eager to taste some of it. Getting a victory in the new Camaro body is a huge motivator, as is ending a winless streak that dates back to last year’s race in Epping.

“I want to get into the winner’s circle more than anyone I think,” said Force, who has 143 wins. “You want your team to have success, but when you are trying to get one of the last spots in the Traxxas Shootout plus get that win for our sponsor Peak Antifreeze, you put a lot of pressure on yourself. I can handle the pressure, and so can my team.

“I got my first win for Peak last year in Epping, and I think I have a great chance to get another win for them. We aren’t just racing for Peak or Chevy but also for Auto Club, Traxxas, Monster Energy, Lucas Oil, and Mac Tools. You never take winning for granted, and I know I have won a lot, but I want to keep winning and teaching my kids.”

They have clearly picked up on what their legendary father has been teaching over the years. Brittany has found a winning combination in a loaded Top Fuel class, as has Courtney in Funny Car, who is back to her winning ways after struggling in 2015 and failing to make the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. When asked what stood out to him about JFR’s strong start to 2016, Force referenced a number of early-season highlights.
 
“I think seeing the Monster Energy dragster and Brittany win in Top Fuel on the same day as Robert won with the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro in Gainesville,” he said. “Then seeing Courtney win in Houston. We have put a lot of time in over the offseason, and we are seeing a lot of that work come together, plus the relationship with Alan Johnson has been big. I like that we have an alliance with Torrence Racing, and we are both having success.”
 
But Force remains as competitive as ever, which means the drive to win is just as strong. Epping has been the backdrop for great memories, including his win last year and Courtney’s victory at the inaugural race, and it will again have an electric atmosphere in 2016.

But Force will also have to deal with a loaded Funny Car field, including two-time season winner Tim Wilkerson, Ron Capps, who opened the season with a win at the Winternationals, defending world champion Del Worsham, Las Vegas event winner Alexis DeJoria, Matt Hagan, who has posted back-to-back wins entering the weekend, and Jack Beckman. The race also starts a rigorous stretch, but it’s one that suits Force just fine.

“This is perfect for me,” Force said. “I haven’t been home in a month already. I don’t do vacations. I was at the Indy 500 for Chevy, and we signed autographs with Linda Vaughn and Courtney on Saturday. I was all over the racetrack talking with fans and media people. I have been in Indy working on my race car and new sponsors. I can’t wait to get to the racetrack and get into my race car. We are going to test on Tuesday in Indy before Epping, and then we’ll get on an airplane and head up to the track. I think the best way to get off to a good start is to just focus on each race. If you start thinking about trying to get on a win streak, you won’t be thinking about what you need to do on that run.”

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, June 3, and the final two rounds of qualifying Saturday, June 4, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5.
 
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and younger will be admitted free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.