Reading: John Force Sunday notes

FORCE ADVANCES BEFORE RAIN WASHES OUT 23RD TOYO TIRES NATIONALS

READING, Pa. -- Rain washed out all but a partial round of racing Sunday in the Toyo Tires Nationals, forming at least a one day postponement of final eliminations at Maple Grove Raceway.

John Force, driver of the Castrol Tection Extra Ford Mustang, was one of the few Funny Car drivers to advance before rain forced NHRA and track officials to pull the plug. Competition was scheduled to resume Monday at 10 a.m. although the weather forecast for the area called for additional rain.

Force, the 14-time NHRA Champion, continued his late season surge by upsetting No. 2 qualifier Jack Beckman in one of the three first round Funny Car races completed before the rainout. The 58-year-old drag racing icon, bidding for his third straight victory and fourth in six races, improved on his No. 15 qualifying effort by a full tenth of a second wilth a time of 4.799.

-credit: jfr