Austin Prock: 'I felt pretty confident going that we were going to have the car to beat'
Paul Lee: 'It’s going to be great just to see our friends and the fans'
Jack Beckman: 'I don’t know if anyone wants to get back more than me'
Tim Wilkerson: 'I don’t think they’re ready for my attitude. It’s gonna be fun'
Kenny Delco: 'We were fast, we qualified fourth at Pomona and Phoenix'
Steve Torrence: 'You’ve got to come out and swing for every one of ’em'
Cristian Cuadra: 'I think I’m doing well, but I have a lot of room to improve'
Tommy Johnson Jr.: 'I’ve not wanted to win a championship more than this year'
Brittany Force: 'We’re ready for all this to be over so we get back to what we love'
Robert Hight: 'I can’t wait to get back and try to defend our championship'
Alex Laughlin: 'All we have to do is shove the car back in the trailer, and we are ready to go racing'
Shawn Langdon: 'I’m trying to stay as fresh as I can so we can be ready to go'
Chris McGaha: 'We’ve come up with some new ideas and we’ve beaten on some things'
J.R. Todd: 'I have all the confidence that we will be in contention when it counts'
Clay Millican: 'I can’t wait to stomp on that loud pedal ... it’s been way too long'
Bob Tasca III: 'Trust me, this Motorcraft car is going to have its day in the sun'
Antron Brown: 'I’ve been doing everything I can; I’m gonna come back hungry and ready'
Jason Line: 'It doesn’t matter what track we start with, the cars will all be ready to go when we get the call'
Fernando Cuadra Jr: 'We’re applying many of the things we learned from the first two races'
John Force: 'I’ll be ready. I know the car. I could drive it with my eyes closed'
Rahn Tobler maps out plans and goals for the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car team
Leah Pruett: 'This is not the time to test or play; it’s time to run with what we know'
Ron Capps: 'It’s going to feel crazy the first time any of us steps on the gas for the first time'
Doug Kalitta: 'We’re all just really hungry and ready to make it happen'
Bo Butner: 'I feel like when we all come back racing we’ll be stronger than ever!'
Jeg Coughlin Jr: 'It’s time to go. Every round will be as important as the last'
Matt Hartford: 'We have a car that can run for the championship—bar none'
Alexis DeJoria: 'I just hope that everybody makes it back to the track safely'
Justin Ashley: 'Having a break like this really puts things in perspective'
Erica Enders: 'Our great start proves the organization’s hard work is paying off'
John Force: 'I’ll be ready. I know the car. I could drive it with my eyes closed'
JOHN FORCE | Peak Chevy Camaro
Current points position: 3rd | Best season e.t. to date: 3.848
Early-season report card: The 16-time world champ and new crew chief Danny Hood find themselves in third place after two strong outings to launch the season and perhaps higher if not for that pesky Jack Beckman guy. After qualifying fifth in Pomona with a 3.889, Force mowed down Bob Bode, Tommy Johnson Jr., and Matt Hagan before losing a tough one in the final to Beckman, 3.83 to 3.89. The Peak Chevy was red-hot in Phoenix with a qualifying best of 3.861 for the No. 2 spot then a season-best pass of 3.848 in round one against Terry Haddock. He followed a 3.89 victory over Tim Wilkerson with a 3.917 in the semifinals that wasn’t good enough to get around nemesis Beckman.
Looking back: “I feel good about where it started and with new blood from Danny; he’s doing a great job. Our combinations are all the same; we inherited [2019 crew chief Brian] Corradi’s tune-up and he inherited part of ours and they change continually as we try to upgrade and make them apply to different tracks. I just want to get back into the game. We’re gonna be good. We’re gonna be fast. Even though it’s only been two months, it seems like it’s been forever, but I’ll be ready. I know the car. I could drive it with my eyes closed. I’m just trying to stay in the game, stay in the fight. I’ve been living it since the day I got off the plane coming home from trying to get to Gainesville.”
Looking ahead: “We’re up there in the top of the points but it’s early yet; a lot of people are testing, doing things to move and find a better mousetrap. I got on Nutrisystem and it’s really working for me and I’m staying in the gym. I’m trying to lose 20 pounds so it’s going to help my car to be lighter and they can move weight around on the car. I’m past halfway; I’ve lost 14 pounds and I’m trying to keep going. It ain’t nothing great; tell the fans I’ve still got my beer belly and I’m still that truck driver they fell in love with -– don’t quit me now.”
Shop talk: “We’re not working on race cars right now; the race cars are loaded and ready to go. We’re trying to build inventory for the 16 -week run and that is to build blowers, blocks, cylinder heads, and clutches.”
The final word: “I never realized how much I’d miss it until we couldn’t do it, but I’ve also enjoyed getting to spend more time with my family than I have in 40 years. I want to say to the people to try to keep that going with your family even after this time. You’ve got it, utilize it –- don’t just sit around and worry like I do. I also just want everybody to stay healthy and say thank you to all the first responders and the hospitals and what those people are doing. God bless them. Don’t ever lose hope and let’s just stay positive.”