NHRA

Pomona: John Force preview

DEARBORN, MI., Feb 7, 2002 -- John Force is the most recognized winner in the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) history with 98 tour victories, and Ford Motor Company is proud to sponsor a champion that won't settle for less. Force is going for ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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DEARBORN, MI., Feb 7, 2002 -- John Force is the most recognized winner in the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) history with 98 tour victories, and Ford Motor Company is proud to sponsor a champion that won't settle for less. Force is going for his 12th NHRA Championship during the Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals in Phoenix at the Firebird International Raceway Friday, Feb. 22 -- 24.

Force was destined to become a drag racer. He began his career after realizing he wasn't cut out for football, and he has been a success story ever since. Eleven times in the last 12 seasons, Force has been the NHRA's unchallenged champion both on and off the track. The only time he lost the title was in 1992 when Cruz Pedregon defeated him by winning five of the season's last six races.

"Force is one of the most recognized winners in the world of auto racing," said Bob Van Antwerp, Dealer Operations Manager for Ford Motor Company. "He conveys the spirit of Ford Motor Company in his continuing pursuit of excellence, attention to detail and continuous improvement. Force is never satisfied, always seeking to better his last performance. For this reason, Ford Motor Company is proud to sponsor Force, conveying our shared values."

Due to his extensive history in racing, Force has many achievements that cannot go unnoticed. He is the only drag racer ever named Driver of the Year for all of American motor racing, the result of an incredible 1996 season in which he put his 7,000 horsepower hybrid in the final round 16 times in 19 races, won 13 event titles and posted a 65-6 record in individual competition. All are NHRA series records.

Force is also the only drag racer ever recognized for an ESPN Espy Award, earning runner-up honors as both the Driver of the Year (1999-2000) and the Driver of the Decade. He was also named to the Auto Racing All -- America Team for nine straight years by the American Auto Racing Writers' and Broadcasters' Association.

-ford-

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