Driving force

Bouyed by his fans, Funny Car competitor John Force stands on the brink of becoming the all-time winningest driver in NHRA

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 13, 2000

John Force is a blizzard inside a tornado wrapped in a hurricane.

On his calm days.

"I probably drank too much coffee this morning," Force said during a typically Force-ful interview on Wednesday. "But I love what I do. I love meeting the people. I love going from race to race and being in touch with the fans and the media." Force, the nine-time National Hot Rod Association Funny Car champion, is on the threshold of becoming the all-time winningest NHRA driver. His next win, which could come as soon as May 21, will match former Pro Stock drag racer Bob Glidden's 85.

Why has he been so successful? Force, who turned 51 on May 4, has more energy than a nuclear reactor, which he channels into his racing. He is recognized as the most successful drag racer ever, and despite an early season "slump" -- by his standards only; he has three wins in seven races and is second in the points standings -- Force shows no signs of slowing.

When not racing, Force's boundless enthusiasm manifests itself through his vocal cords. Easily the most popular and influential NHRA driver, Force has colorful, anecdotal responses for every question. His shtick is on call 24-7.

"I learned early that the fans are what it's all about. I've talked about it with (NASCAR legend) Richard Petty. He is great with the fans," said Force, who mingles on race weekends far more than most of the very accessible NHRA drivers. "The fans are the reason I'm rich. They buy my product. People say to me, "John, when you get eliminated early, don't you just want to hop on a plane and get out of there?' Are you kidding? People are there to see me.

"People drive for hours to see John Force, to get my autograph, and they're going to be p----- off if I don't come through. I don't want to let down the man who drove six hours with his kids and spent hundreds of dollars. The day will come when I'm not worth a s---, but they'll still love me."

Force's passion for drag racing and thirst for improvement have made him a one-man dynasty, yet his love affair with the sport supersedes his participation.

"If I hadn't been a race car driver, I'd have been a fan in the stands each week," Force said. "I just love it. I'm interested in everything about it. I watch (Funny Car rival and current points leader Jerry) Toliver. I want to know what makes him tick. I'm always watching the other drivers, trying to figure out what makes them succeed. I want to know."

Force's success is hard-earned. Born in 1949 in California, he contracted polio shortly after he began to walk. Luckily for him, in 1952 Jonas Salk created a polio vaccine.

"I started stumbling around. They thought I had spinal meningitis. They couldn't figure it out," Force said. "I had a brace on my (right) leg. That's why I limp. You know, before they came out with the vaccine, they would put you in hot tubs. They thought it would help. I spent a year in hot tubs."

Despite his right leg being atrophied and more than an inch shorter than the left, Force was a skilled quarterback and high jumper in high school ("I'd jump off my left leg."), and he played one year of junior college football.

"I got to college and the coach said, "Force, you've got a lot of energy, but something's wrong with you. You can't run,' " Force said. "So I got into race cars. I figured I'd let the car do the running for me."

Drag racing success came after years of toiling as a second-tier driver and staying just above the poverty line. Force started Funny Car racing on the NHRA circuit in 1978, but he didn't win a race until 1987 -- after nine losses in final-round appearances. Force will try to tie the wins record next weekend in Englishtown, N.J., and could break it May 28 at the Castrol Nationals in Dallas. It would be fitting because Castrol has been Force's sponsor for the past 16 years. He also has had the same crew chief, Austin Coil, since 1984.

Though he is in the unfamiliar position of not leading the standings, Force, who has won the past two races, believes he is as good as ever. But so is the competition.

"The truth is, the competition is better," said Force, who has won seven consecutive titles. "These cars and drivers are good. It used to be I knew I would get to the semifinals. I got knocked out in the first round (April 16 in Houston) by a guy I'd barely heard of (Bob Gilbertson).

"I'll be glad to get (the record) out of the way. It's distracting. I try not to focus on it. ... We've been good, but we've been lucky. If I can set some records, great. It's a neat feeling."

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