John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team enter this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway sitting No. 4 in the points standings. Just six points back from the top three, Force and the PEAK team have been knocking on the door of victory.
Off the efforts of a No. 1 qualifying position and victory at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, a runner-up finish at Sonoma Raceway, and a runner-up finish just last weekend in Topeka, Kansas at Heartland Motorsports Park, Force has clinched his spot in the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoffs, and a run at his 17th series championship. With just two races until the Countdown begins, a win at Brainerd International Raceway would only help his efforts.
“I’ve got a lot of history at Brainerd, done well there. Last weekend, we came in second, had some luck and made some mistakes, but we’re in a good spot. This PEAK team, we’ve got our spot to chase a championship, that’s what it’s all about,” Force said. “Can’t win a championship without winning some races, we’ve come close the last couple weeks, time to capitalize, get the job done. We’ll be good.”
John Force has driven to victory at Brainerd International Raceway 11 times in his career, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994-97, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2007 making him the winningest driver at any one event at a single venue (Bob Glidden won the World Finals 11 times but at two different tracks). Force most recently visited the final round in 2012 and 2014. He has started from the No. 1 qualifying position eight times (1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2014). When he has qualified at the front, he’s gone to the final round in all but one start and won six times.
The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will begin with four qualifying sessions Friday at 2:15 and 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. local time. Eliminations will begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with two qualifying shows, Friday at 8:00 p.m. E.T. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will air Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Broadcasting Network.
JFR PR
