John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS team are 137 points shy of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series lead as they enter the second-to-last event, the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. There are still plenty of points left on the table for the 16-time champion to land a historic 17th title.
Force and the PEAK Camaro come into the weekend from the No. 4 spot after three final round appearances that included a victory at the Charlotte Four-Wide event marking the 34th season in which he has won at least one tour event. The PEAK Chevy has also made nine semifinal appearances, including the recent streak of four-in-a-row, and had two No. 1 qualifiers (both at zMAX Dragway).
“I love racing in Vegas, another Bruton Smith track. It’s a real show. People love the excitement and this championship battle this year, it’s exciting. We’re still in it, this PEAK Chevrolet, but we’re all chasing Robert Hight and that Auto Club car,” Force said. “We do well this weekend and points and a half at the Auto Club Final in Pomona, we could have a shot at it. I know my guys will give me a good hot rod, I just need to do my job and keep up with all these young guys and we’ll see what happens.”
Force shares with Ron Capps the record for victories in the Nevada Nationals with four (2002, 2010, 2013, 2016). Last season, he qualified his PEAK Chevy Camaro SS second, but had an upset exit in the first round. Force has started No. 1 at the fall event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway just once in 2013.
Competition at the NHRA Nevada Nationals, the second to last event on the NRHA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, begins with qualifying Friday at 1:00 and 4:15 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations are slated to begin Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) on Sunday beginning with qualifying at 2:00 p.m. ET and eliminations at 4 p.m. ET.
JFR PR
