Sixteen-time champion John Force will head to the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 6-8 with some history on his side.
The fourth of 24 events on NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series becomes the second four-wide racing event joining the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, held annually since 2010 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.
Force won the inaugural Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte in 2010 and will be looking to do the same at the Las Vegas event.
“I won the first four-wide in Charlotte. I had to study it. We were all screwed up just like all the other drivers and crew chiefs and we had to really study it,” Force said. “The trickiest part is understanding the tree. I still go up there and watch and study while Pro Stock is up. It moves so fast. It’s a mind rush. Throwing two more race cars in there, it’s 40,000 horsepower. It’s unbelievable. To have won the inaugural in Charlotte, it was something special and unique.”
Force has a history of success in first time events having won the first Traxxas Shootout in 2012, the first (and only) 50th anniversary NHRA Nationals at Pomona in 2001 and the first Winston Showdown (worth a $210,00 payday) in 1998, among others.
The champ has six wins at The Strip (including 2012 and 2015 at the spring event) and will be looking for Lady Luck to be on his side to turn around some of the misfortune that has plagued the Funny Car class during the start of the 2018 season.
Force will be running a special paint scheme at the inaugural west coast, four-wide event. His PEAK Chevy Camaro will be branded with Boss Shops. Boss Shops is an industry leader in truck repairs offering friendly, experienced service and ASE certified technicians at 42 Boss Shop locations across the nation. Boss Shops offers but is not limited to tires, preventative maintenance, brake, electrical, drive train, air conditioning as well as 24-hour roadside service.
PEAK is the preferred coolant of one of America’s largest truck service center chains, Boss Shops teamed up with PEAK as a special celebration for the company’s 70th anniversary.
Fans will have an opportunity to meet Force along with his other teammates at the NHRA FanFest hosted at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino on the Brooklyn Bridge Plaza on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Drivers will be signing autographs from 7-8 p.m.
Qualifying for the fourth of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule will feature two rounds at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday and will continue with sessions at 12:30 and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Eliminations will begin Sunday at noon.
JFR PR
