“4-Score” for Force

May 18, 2021 // NHRA Event FC Results // editor

John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro team stole the show at the NGK NTK NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

For the 152nd time Force was the Funny Car victor on Sunday. Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac team nearly joined her father in the winner’s circle ending a successful weekend with her 14th runner-up finish. Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California team had an early exit in the first quad.

After earning his 161st No. 1 qualifying position, John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM team didn’t skip a beat in their first quad running a 3.926-second pass at 329.10 mph to defeat Dale Creasy Jr., Mike McIntire and Dave Richards. McIntire moved onto the second round with Force where they battled against J.R. Todd and Terry Haddock. Laying down the quickest pass of the event at 3.897-seconds and 330.31 mph, Force, along with Todd, would move onto the final round to run against Alexis DeJoria and Cruz Pedregon.

In Force’s 258th career final round appearance he would continue his consistency to handle his PEAK / BlueDEF hot rod to a 3.916-second pass at 328.78 mph handing J.R. Todd the runner-up finish at 3.944 and 327.82. The victory marks Force’s 152nd career win and his second at the zMAX Dragway four-wide event, his first coming at the inaugural four-wide race in 2010.

(John Force set both low ET and top speed while winning for the 152nd time in his career)

“I ran my mouth and said I could win this for (track owner) Bruton (Smith). I really wanted to and it was in my heart. He’s done so much for me – things people don’t even know – to keep my head in the game. I dedicated this trophy to him. (Crew chief) Danny (Hood) is getting one, so is (co-crew chief) Tim Fabrisi,” said Force who is now third in points. “Danny, he’s picked up this PEAK / Blue DEF Chevy race car. And now he’s all into it. He’s got a good team around him. They’re all working together. After last year, I’m never going to take the job I love for granted, or the people. We’re back here. These kids are tough out there. The car was prepared right by my young team and I halfway did my job. I’m excited. I’m lucky, I have a job. I didn’t have a job last year and it was painful. Sometimes things just work right for me. I won the inaugural, and my mindset (today) was to do it again.”

(JR Todd enhanced his 2nd place status within overall NHRA points with a runner-up finish in the DHL Toyota).

Event Essentials: NGK/NTK Four Wide Nationals (May 14-16th, 2021)

	NAME	ET	MPH	CAREER WIN

Winner:	John Force	3.916	328.78	152nd
R/UP:	JR Todd	3.944	327.82
Low ET:	John Force	3.897
Top Speed:	John Force		330.55
Bump Spot:		6.104
Event Entries:	16 Cars

Cruz Pedregon had his best showing of 2021 so far – going to the “final quad” in his Snap-On Tools Hellcat.

Alexis DeJoria qualified with a blistering 3.930 secs (#2) and advanced to the “final four” on Sunday racing her Toyota

Posted with files by Sara Slaughter and Bruce Biegler
Photos courtesy of NHRA — Auto Imagery — Gary Nastase

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