John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team are no strangers to success at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. They’ll look to recreate some of their past accomplishments as they head to Bristol Dragway this Father’s Day weekend for the ninth of 22 events on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule.
John Force has won the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals a total of four times. Starting in 2004, Force won every three years through 2013 (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013). In addition, the 16-time champion has had two runner-up finishes in 2006 to reigning champion Ron Capps and in 2019 after he qualified No. 1 but came up short to longtime rival Bob Tasca III. Force’s only other No. 1 start at Bristol came in 2015.
“I love racing at Bristol Dragway. It’s Thunder Valley, its beautiful. Another Bruton Smith track you know it’s going to be a top-of-the-line facility,” Force said. “It’s tradition being there on Father’s Day weekend, it’s how I’ve celebrated with my girls for years now. This PEAK team, we’ll get out there and look to go some rounds, qualify well. We’re okay, we’re in it and we’ve been fast. I just need to do my job out there on track and I know my son-in-law Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisi, they’ll have this Chevy running right.”
After winning earlier this year at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Force extended to 34 the number of seasons he’s won at least on NHRA national event. Heading into the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway currently sitting fourth in points, Force will be trying to win multiple events for the 27th season in his career.
Racing at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway begins with qualifying Friday night at 8 p.m. and continues with Saturday with sessions at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Eliminations will begin Father’s Day Sunday at noon. Television coverage of qualifying will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) beginning Friday at 8 p.m. ET and continues Saturday at 11 p.m. ET. Eliminations will be on FOX Broadcasting Network Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
JFR PR
