John Force opened his pursuit of a 17th Funny Car world championship title in record-setting fashion when he raced to victory during the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals held at historic Auto Club Racing at Pomona near Los Angeles.

Force outran his most recent arch-rival, Matt Hagan, in the final round of the tradition-rich event. Force powered his Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang to a national record time of 3.965 seconds at 323.58 mph to take the win over Hagan’s Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger, which lost traction early in the race and finished in 6.613 at 117.88.

It was Force’s sixth consecutive final round appearance dating back to last season and an NHRA record 139th victory. Force, who earned a 20-point bonus for setting the national E.T. record, now holds a 50-point lead over Hagan.

Force, 64, who raced past Paul Lee, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Bob Tasca in earlier rounds, won from the No. 1 qualifying position and also set the Funny Car national speed record at 324.12 mph.

“We had a good race car. It’s amazing,” said Force, of his 16th win at his home track and his seventh Winternationals trophy. “We’re trying to build our sport and come out here and run good for you all and the fans, and it’s hard sometimes. Jimmy Prock and that whole brain trust did a great job. We’re back in the game. Everything’s just going right. I don’t get it. I ain’t that good of a guy. I’m just excited. There’s a lot going on (with sponsors), and man, what a good time to flex your muscles.”

Event Essentials:  Circle K Winternationals (Pomona CA):

The FC Final saw Matt Hagan move first in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge only to spin the tires while John Force recorded a national recorded setting ET to win in the far lane.

Photos by:  Bruce Biegler