John Force earned his third win of the season by racing to the Funny Car title at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.

Force defeated former teammate Gary Densham in the final round for his 141st career win. Force registered a run of 4.173 seconds at 302.48 mph in his Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang to defeat Densham’s trailing Chevy Impala, which lost traction early in the run and finished in 5.808 at 120.44. Force has raced to four consecutive finals and has won twice in that stretch.

“I want to win, that is what it is all about,” Force said. “But we were having so much down there in the staging lanes. I know you are supposed to be serious because it is race day but you are racing a friend. He comes up here on a budget. Look how good he does. Steps up and races with these guys after only being out a few times all year and gets in the finals. I always say ‘If I lose to my teammates I didn’t lose’ and if I had lost to Gary Densham I would not have lost.”

With his win, John Force Racing swept the daunting Western Swing with its Funny Car teams winning all three events. Robert Hight took home the title in Denver while Courtney Force won in Sonoma.

Event Essentials:  O’Reilly Northwest Nationals – August 1-3rd (Seattle WA)

(One of John Force’s ex teammates from year’s past – Gary Densham – advanced to the FC Final)

(The “Northwest Hitter” himself – Bucky Austin tried his had in fuel FC for the first time ever – but just missed qualifying)

(Independent home state racer – Terry Haddock – qualified with a decent 4.19 secs but lost first round.)

Photos by:  Gerry Frechette