NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Legendary Funny Car driver John Force has always held zMAX Dragway in high regard, and the 16-time world champion has also posted impressive results at the track in recent years, especially in the highly unique and thrilling four-wide setting.

Force has won the four-wide race in Charlotte in back-to-back years, bringing a string of dominance at the race into this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. The longtime star will look for a third straight win – and his 156th career victory – in the event regarded as one of the biggest spectacles in motorsports.

Force moved up five spots in the loaded Funny Car points standings by advancing to the final quad in Las Vegas two weeks ago, feeling good about this weekend in his PEAK BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS at one of his favorite stops on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour.

“Bruton Smith built the 'Bellagio of dragstrips,' and it’s always an honor to go back to zMAX,” Force said. “I love racing in Charlotte. It’s a great stadium, and you always want to perform well there for the fans. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, and the guys have built a fast hot rod, and we’re ready to keep improving after putting together some solid runs in Vegas. I’m excited to compete for another win for everyone who keeps me out here each week doing what I love.”

Force has enjoyed plenty of success at zMAX Dragway. Along with the back-to-back wins, Force owns the track records at zMAX Dragway, going 3.850 seconds at 335.07 mph at last year’s race en route to the victory. The four-wide format provides a different challenge, but Force has adapted well to it over the years, even against a top-tier field in the Funny Car ranks.

He made a big move in Las Vegas, finishing third in the final quad and making amends for back-to-back first-round losses in Phoenix and Pomona. Now, Force is ready to build on his most recent performance and bring home a big result in Charlotte against a loaded Funny Car category that includes points leader Matt Hagan, who has won three of four races in 2023, defending world champ Ron Capps, John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson, Bob Tasca III, and Alexis DeJoria.
 
“I’ve been very lucky that my team has won there a number of times, and we’ve had a lot of success here in the past,” said Force, who has four career wins in Charlotte. “I always want to give thanks to the NHRA prep team that works on all four lanes because you never know what lane you may end up in. It’s very challenging for the crew chiefs and the drivers, but we want to go win.”

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 29 at 12:30 and 3:45 p.m. Eliminations will begin at noon ET on Sunday, April 30. Television coverage includes qualifying action at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and noon ET on Sunday on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), leading into eliminations coverage at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday at FS1.

To purchase tickets to the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 800-455-3267. Children 13 and under are admitted free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.