John Force and his BlueDEF PLATINUM / PEAK Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS enter this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway sitting eighth in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing points and are looking to up their performance as they search for their first victory of the season.
At the most recent event on tour, the NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK, Force and his BlueDEF Chevy, adorned with the names of Old World Industries (OWI) employee names on the hood, continued their streak of semifinal finishes after qualifying No. 8. Force also earned semifinal points after reaching the final quad at both NHRA Four Wide Nationals in Las Vegas and Charlotte.
“We had a great week with everyone at PEAK and BlueDEF, OWI, their parent company, in Chicago. Even had the founder and chairman out, Tom Hurvis. My hot rod celebrated all of their employees on the hood, and we took it to the semi-finals,” Force said. “We love coming to Epping and putting on a show for the fans. I’m feeling good. We’re in the race within a race and we’re going to win this thing.”
This weekend’s competition has added incentive for Force who will compete for the first time in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge during Saturday qualifying. His semi-final finish at the Route 66 Nationals earned him a spot in the specialty event. Performing in the race within a race not only earns drivers championship points at the end of the regular season but a chance at prize money as well.
Force has two past wins at New England Dragway in 2015 and 2021 making him one of only seven racers to have multiple wins at the track. In last season’s event Force qualified second overall and lost in the second round. He also has one No.1 qualifier in the inaugural event in 2013.
The NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway starts with qualifying Friday at 6:00 p.m. Saturday qualifying and the first round of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for Funny Car will be at 2:50 p.m. If Force wins, his last qualifying session and the Challenge finals will be at 6:25 p.m. Regular Funny Car qualifying will be at 6:00 p.m. Sunday eliminations are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be aired on FO Sports 1 (FS1) Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET, and eliminations are slated to begin Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
JFR PR
