NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Legendary 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force knows all about the importance of success at Maple Grove Raceway, the site of this weekend’s 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals, and how it relates to the championship.

Force’s last victory at the track came in 2013, a win that gave him a points lead he would not relinquish. His seven victories at the facility are the most by any driver in NHRA history, and Force hopes to add one more this weekend in his 10,000-horsepower Peak Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro SS. With a victory at the NHRA Mello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship opener in Charlotte, a second win in NHRA’s six-race playoffs could go a long way toward earning another world title.

“I love racing at Maple Grove Raceway,” said Force, who currently sits fourth, 74 points back of points leader Ron Capps. “Every race is key in the Countdown. We won the first one and but we struggled a little in St Louis. We won a big first round and then lost a close race in the next round. You want to have some momentum for the last three races for sure. This Chevy hot rod will be in the mix. We have made up points on the leaders after Reading, and we have had the lead coming out of Reading. This race is important for sure, but we are going to keep fighting until Pomona.”

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Chris McGaha (Pro Stock), and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised for the first time on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The event finishes off three straight race weekends and marks the halfway point of the Countdown to the Championship.

Force and his team have turned it on in the postseason, despite a close loss to eventual race winner Jack Beckman in a thrilling second-round race in St. Louis. Force’s victory in Charlotte was his third in the last seven races, and he has been impressed with his team’s resolve after a slow start to open the season.

“These Peak crew guys have just continued to work together,” said Force, who has 146 career wins. “We made a switch before Charlotte and brought Jason McCulloch over to work with Jon Schaffer and Nick Casertano. It has helped because now you have another experienced set of eyes and hands on my race car. The win in Charlotte was big and gave us a boost for sure, but now we need to keep winning.”

The performance of Force’s car has noticeably increased, something that could be key heading to what is traditionally one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit.

But getting past the likes of Capps, Beckman, Tommy Johnson Jr., who jumped to second in points, and reigning world champion Del Worsham won’t be easy. The early Countdown to the Championship success was critical for Force’s championship chances, but he knows he can’t stand pat when it comes to his car’s performance.

“We can run with the competition now,” Force said. “We are really good on a hot track, and I think we can pick it up on a cool track. It will be exciting for sure. The crew chiefs will make the calls, and I will get in this Peak Camaro and do my best. The other racers are fighting for wins, too, and nobody is going to give you anything out here.”
 
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, Oct. 2.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 610-856-9200. Tickets are also available online at www.maplegroveraceway.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.