By Briar Starr, Staff Writer
On the weekend of the 33rd annual Heartland Menards Nationals in Topeka, Kansas, Kickin’ The Tires caught up with all-time Funny Car great John Force. Force has competed in Funny Cars since 1977, a career that has lasted for 45 years. Despite some early struggles and missing races, the California native rose to the occasion and became a household name in NHRA Drag Racing.
Today, Force has the current record with the most wins in Funny Car with 155 in total and a championship high of 16. In this week’s edition of the Wally Questions and Answer Series, Kickin’ The Tires asked Force what he thinks his best season was, his favorite Countdown victory, a learning moment he’s been able to apply to move forward in his career, and the biggest win of his career and many more in this week’s The Wally.
Kickin’ The Tires:
You have made 823 races in your career since 1977. Which season do you feel was your best and why?
John Force:
“All of my seasons were great,” Force said. “I won and I learned the trade of the drag racing business. I still love drag racing. Probably my best season came in 1990 when I won my first ever Funny Car championship.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Ever since the Countdown was installed in 2007, you have made 75 starts and seven victories. What is the most special win you’ve achieved or race you’ve participated in the Countdown?
John Force:
“Racing my daughter Ashley Force (former Funny Car driver),” the Yorba Linda, California native said. “She beat me in Atlanta (in 2008). Being able to race her meant more than anything.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
What’s a learning moment that you had in your career and how did you apply it to help you move forward with your career?
John Force:
“Stop drinking, a little bit.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Biggest win in your career and does that Wally still mean the most compared to the other Wally’s in your collection?
John Force:
“Winning the first Indy in 1993 (NHRA’s biggest event).”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Who is one driver you would like racing against back when you coming through the sport?
John Force:
“I loved racing Don Prudhomme, “Mongoose” (Tom McEwen),” the JFR Team Owner said. “One driver I never got to race against was Don Garlits (former Top Fuel driver). I consider him the greatest of all time. Another driver that comes to mind is Shirley Muldowney (former Top Fuel driver) a driver I would have loved to race against back in the day. There are so many drivers I can’t name them all.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
If there was ever a movie made about your career, who is going to play John Force?
John Force:
“Brad Pitt.”
Ever since Force’s debut at Pomona in 1977, he has earned a whopping 155 career victories, 109 runner-up finishes, made 139 semi-final appearances, 203 first-round appearances, along with earning 164 career No. 1 qualifiers. He has a win-loss record of 1,410-642. So far in the 2022 season, Force has one win in 14 starts with two runner-ups, five semi-finals, and one No. 1 qualifier that occurred at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals back in spring. He is currently locked into the 2022 NHRA Countdown Playoffs and is looking for his 17th career Funny Car championship.
Fans wanting to keep up with John and can do so by “following” his Twitter.
Additionally, you can keep up to date with John Force Racing by “following” them on Twitter and Instagram, as well as “liking” them on Facebook.
Special thanks to Sara Slaughter of John Force Racing for helping coordinate this interview and many thanks to John Force for taking the time out of his busy schedule to conduct the interview.