NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Robert Hight spent nearly 10 years as John Force’s clutch technician, joining him in the winner’s circle at his first event, the 1995 Mile-High Nationals – and in 40 more winner’s circles and through 19 world championships before Hight finally got his chance to drive in 2005.

In late 2004, Hight, by then the manager of the team’s Southern California race shop, attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and, following in the footsteps of fellow Force protégé Eric Medlen — who had graduated from test driver to team driver in 2003 after Tony Pedregon’s departure — Hight became John Force Racing’s test driver.

In 2005, with sponsorship from the Auto Club of Southern California, Hight graduated to the big time. After scoring two round-wins in his first three events of 2005. Force qualified No. 1 for the second straight race as the tour pulled into Houston Raceway Park for the annual NHRA SpringNationals.

After qualifying with a 4.76, Hight’s Jimmy Prock-tuned Mustang galloped to passes of 4.79, 4.80, and 4.79 to beat Bob Gilbertson, Tommy Johnson Jr., and, in the semifinals, his boss, John Force. In the final round against Cruz Pedregon, the “Prock Rocket” fired off a 4.78 that dispatched Pedregon’s 4.81.

"I thought I'd really made it when I got a job working on John's car a few years ago," Hight said after the win. "To be standing here with this trophy is unbelievable. This whole day has been a blur. I tried to stay busy so I wouldn't get nervous or even think about where I was, but don't get me wrong, I was still plenty nervous. John did tell me how many finals he'd been to before he won [nine], and he told me he'd worry himself sick for no reason. He told me to just relax and race like it was any other round.

"The semifinal against John was actually the most relaxed I was all day. There was nothing to lose because we knew one of the team cars would be in the final. Before the race, John came to me and said, 'I want you to try your best to kick my butt. Come after me.' So that's what I did."

Hight went on to win again in Denver that season and was named the winner of the Auto Club Road to the Future award.

Hight now has 55 career wins — including two already this season — and has won at least once in every one of his 16 full Pro seasons (excluding the 2020 COVID-shortened season).

To purchase tickets to the final NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park, call 281-383-7223 or visit www.HoustonRaceway.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.