In a true testament for drag racing — the sport’s most winning driver prevailed during the sport’s most legendary event…

John Force and the PEAK Chevrolet Performance Accessories Chevrolet Camaro SS team powered their way to their second win of the season at the (65th edition) Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. The victory, which was Force’s fifth at the facility, ties him with Ed McCulloch for most Funny Car wins at the U.S. Nationals.

(Drag racing’s living legend – John Force – won the NHRA Chevrolet Performance US Nationals for the 5th time in his amazing career)

Making his 40th Indy appearance, Force and the PEAK Chevrolet Performance Accessories Chevy Camaro SS team picked up the win against Jonnie Lindberg in the first round when the Brian Corradi and Danny Hood tuned hot rod laid down the quickest pass of the entire event with a 3.858-second pass at 329.58 mph to better Lindberg’s 3.943 at 323.19.

In the quarterfinal, Force was paired with teammate and regular season champion Robert Hight where the racing icon put down another impressive pass to take the win light. Force powered his PEAK Chevy to a 3.913-second pass at 326.95 mph while Hight ran only 13.016-seconds at 71.18 mph after smoking the tires off the starting line. The round win brought Force face-to-face with rival Matt Hagan in the semifinal where he continued the momentum with a 3.940-second pass at 330.88 mph. Hagan hazed the tires to cross the finish line at 13.019-seconds and 75.31 mph.

Heading to his ninth final round of the U.S. Nationals and third of the season, Force would be matched with No. 1 qualifier Jack Beckman. The pair of racing veterans left the starting line with almost identical reaction times, Force with a .079 and Beckman with a .072, but the 16-time world champion had the better race car. Force took the win with a 3.919-second pass at 324.44 mph over Beckman’s 3.940 at 325.92.

“Racing is what I love to do. Winning Indy is the biggest thing on my bucket list and I never thought I’d get the chance again. This is just incredible that someone my age could do this again. Don’t let anybody tell you you’re too old. Get up and stay alive, keep moving. I’m trying to fight the old man every day. You know I started hearing ‘you’re 70, this thing is over’ and its really true, it’s how bad you want it,” said Force. “This is a big moment for me. I’m having an emotional day because I won Indy. I owe this sport for so much. I love NHRA that has given me so much. It doesn’t matter what you do in life, you do it because you love it and I love it and when you don’t do good you do the best you can. This race really meant a lot to my girls, to my grandkids, a lot of my family was here.

“There are a lot of guys with a lot more talent than me. They just don’t have a race car with the money and the right crew chief, Brian Corradi, Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisi. I just happen to be one of the lucky ones,” Force continued. “I’m racing guys that are young. You know, I just love these people. Beckman, this guy’s the best out here on the tree. Robert Hight, I can’t beat him but he smoked the tires. It’s just like somebody wanted me to win this race.”

Jack Beckman – placed runner-up and set top speed of the event at 335.92 mph.

NHRA points leader entering the event – Robert Hight – qualified 6th – but fell to his team mate Force in round #2

Event Essentials:   NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals (Aug. 29th – Sep. 2nd, 2019) 

Matt Hagan had a strong semi-final round finish in the “wide body” Dodge Hellcat.

Ray Martin had a impressive effort at Indy driving the Worsham Racing Toyota. The Alaska native qualified #13 and won his first round match – upsetting Ron Capps

Both of the Kalitta Racing Funny Cars were solid at Indy — Shawn Langdon (near lane) finished in round #2 while JR Todd went to the semis.

Posted with files by Sara Slaughter and Bruce Biegler
Photos by Bruce Biegler – Steve Embling – Gary Nastase

To view more Funny Car racing images from the NHRA Chevrolet Performance US Nationals – link to our LMLCMedia gallery:  HERE