{"id":24163,"date":"2019-03-15T14:58:13","date_gmt":"2019-03-15T19:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=24163"},"modified":"2019-03-15T15:02:08","modified_gmt":"2019-03-15T20:02:08","slug":"funny-car-legend-john-force-hopes-to-celebrate-50th-amalie-motor-oil-nhra-gatornationals-with-150th-career-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2019\/03\/15\/funny-car-legend-john-force-hopes-to-celebrate-50th-amalie-motor-oil-nhra-gatornationals-with-150th-career-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Car legend John Force hopes to celebrate 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals with 150th career win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

GAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The most successful driver in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series<\/a> history will look to hit a historic number at one of the biggest races of the 2019 season. Sixteen-time Funny Car champ John Force<\/strong> is after his 150th career win at the 50th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway on March 14-17, a weekend that will include some of NHRA\u2019s biggest legends.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

John Force. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Force is one of them, an iconic driver still competing in the Funny Car ranks, while the 50th anniversary of one of the NHRA\u2019s most legendary races celebrates the pinnacle of the NHRA Legends Tour as well as the \u201cUnfinished Business\u201d event featuring eight legendary NHRA figures facing off in a head-to-head competition. Combined, it\u2019s a weekend that has the legendary Force extremely excited, especially on the cusp of his 150th win in his 10,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to go back again (to Gainesville), especially knowing that the legends will be there: Joe Amato, Ed McCulloch, Kenny Bernstein, Don Prudhomme, Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney and so many more,\u201d J. Force said. \u201cThose are my heroes. To be able to go back and be able to race in front of them, it\u2019s going to be exciting and I really want to do well. I\u2019m going after 150 in my career wins and I hope I can do it in front of those who really matter to me: the fans, the sponsors, and those legends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Tanner Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year\u2019s winners of the must-see event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including finals coverage on Sunday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). It is the third of 24 events during the 2019 campaign and will surely be one of the can\u2019t-miss races of the season. More than 20 NHRA Legends will gather for special meet-and-greets and autograph sessions, while Garlits, Prudhomme, Muldowney, McCulloch, Warren Johnson, Amato, Bernstein and Terry Vance will compete in the \u201cUnfinished Business\u201d race to make the race a colossal event.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

John Force. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Force could add to the festivities with his own historic win, furthering his status as NHRA\u2019s winningest driver. He has eight victories at Gainesville Raceway, with the most recent coming in 2017. It\u2019s also second all-time in NHRA history behind Johnson\u2019s nine, adding another possible incredible nugget if Force can come through this weekend.<\/p>\n

\u201cGainesville has been very good to me over the years,\u201d said J. Force, who is currently sixth in Funny Car points. \u201cI\u2019ve won eight races there, I\u2019ve crashed on their premises, been on fire, been in the burn center, but the crowds, the locals and all those fans that come out of the north to come to the warm weather, it\u2019s just unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Force has been solid to open 2019, advancing to the semifinals in Pomona before falling to John Force Racing teammate and eventual winner and points leader Robert Hight. With Courtney Force stepping away from the sport, J. Force and Hight have been a strong duo this year, but they\u2019ll have to keep it up against the likes of Phoenix winner Matt Hagan, defending world champ J.R. Todd, Beckman and Bob Tasca.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy car is coming around, it\u2019s fast and it\u2019s showing the numbers,\u201d J. Force said. \u201cIt was a good car for my daughter Courtney last year. She won four races and had 11 No. 1 qualifiers. Her team really loved her, but I\u2019m finally getting to know them all and it\u2019s been going well. I\u2019m really looking forward to going to the Gatornationals with PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil, and rockin\u2019 and rollin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Top Fuel\u2019s Richie Crampton won at Gainesville for the first time in 2018, but will have to get past teammate Doug Kalitta, defending champ Steve Torrence and Brittany Force.<\/p>\n

Bo Butner started his Pro Stock year on a strong note with a win in Pomona and the points leader will face off with Phoenix winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Jason Line.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle makes its annual debut at Gainesville, as defending world champ Matt Smith will look to keep Eddie Krawiec from his fourth straight win at the event. Others to watch include Hector Arana Jr., Scotty Pollacheck and Andrew Hines.<\/p>\n

The event is also the season-opening race for the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service and features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where future stars of the sport hone their skills, as well as the Mickey Thompson Tires NHRA Top Fuel Harley Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers with an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.<\/p>\n

Fans also will want to visit NHRA\u2019s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family. <\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:15 and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, March 16 at 12:00 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 17.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visitwww.NHRA.com\/tickets<\/a>. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. Military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS<\/u><\/h3>\n

WHAT:              50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, <\/strong>the third of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories \u2013 Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle \u2013 earn points leading to 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. Competition also will be featured in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series and the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Series.<\/p>\n

WHERE:            Gainesville Raceway<\/strong>, Gainesville, Fla. The track is located on 11211 North County Road 225 in Gainesville.<\/p>\n

WHEN:              <\/strong>Thursday through Sunday, March 14-17<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:<\/strong>      THURSDAY, March 14 <\/u><\/strong>– LUCAS OIL SERIES<\/strong> qualifying at 8:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

                         FRIDAY, March 15 <\/u><\/strong>– LUCAS OIL SERIES<\/strong> eliminations at 8:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

                         E3 SPARK PLUGS NHRA PRO MOD SERIES <\/strong>qualifying at 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

                         MELLO YELLO SERIES <\/strong>qualifying at 1:15 and 5:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

                         SATURDAY, March 17 <\/u><\/strong>– LUCAS OIL SERIES<\/strong> eliminations at 8:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

E3 SPARK PLUGS NHRA PRO MOD SERIES <\/strong>qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 2:50 p.m.<\/p>\n

                         MELLO YELLO SERIES <\/strong>qualifying at 1:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, March 18<\/u><\/strong> <\/strong>– Pre-race ceremonies, 9:45 a.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES <\/strong>eliminations begin at <\/strong>11:00 a.m.<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:    Friday, March 15<\/strong>, FOX Sports 1 (FS1), will televise one hour of qualifying at 11:30 p.m. (ET)<\/p>\n

                         Saturday, March 16<\/strong>, FOX Sports 1 (FS1), will televise one hour of qualifying at 9:00 p.m. (ET)<\/p>\n

                         Sunday, March 17<\/strong>, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise three hours of finals coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

 <\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 EVENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

WINNERS:         Richie Crampton, <\/strong>Top Fuel; Jack Beckman, <\/strong>Funny Car; Tanner Gray, <\/strong>Pro Stock; Eddie Krawiec<\/strong>, Pro Stock Motorcycle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MOST<\/strong><\/p>\n

VICTORIES:      Warren Johnson<\/strong>, 9, PS; John Force<\/strong>, 8, FC; Eddie Krawiec<\/strong>, 6, PSM; Don Prudhomme<\/strong>, 5, FC; Tony Schumacher<\/strong>, 5, TF; Joe Amato<\/strong>, 4, TF; Greg Anderson <\/strong>4 PS; Kenny Bernstein<\/strong>, 4, FC\/TF; Larry Dixon<\/strong>, 4, TF; Don Garlits<\/strong>, 4, TF; Jason Line<\/strong>, 4, PS; Ed McCulloch<\/strong>, 4, FC; Dave Schultz<\/strong>, 4, PSM; Terry Vance<\/strong>, 4, PSM.  <\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/strong><\/p>\n

TRACK<\/strong>            <\/p>\n

RECORDS:<\/strong>        Top Fuel<\/strong> – 3.682 seconds by Tony Schumacher, March \u201917; 331.28 mph by Clay Millican, March \u201818.<\/p>\n

                            Funny Car<\/strong> \u2013 3.828 seconds by Robert Hight, March \u201917; 334.82 mph by Hight, March \u201917.<\/p>\n

                            Pro Stock<\/strong> – 6.473 seconds by Mike Edwards, March \u201912; 214.69 mph by Erica Enders, March \u201914.<\/p>\n

                            PS Motorcycle <\/strong>– 6.750 seconds by Eddie Krawiec, March \u201912; 201.01 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201918.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL<\/strong><\/p>\n

RECORDS:        Top Fuel<\/strong> – 3.628 sec. by Clay Millican, Feb. ’18, Pomona, Calif.; 336.57 mph by Tony Schumacher, Feb. \u201818, Phoenix<\/p>\n

            Funny Car<\/strong> – 3.793 sec. by Robert Hight, Aug. ’17, Brainerd; 339.87 mph by Robert Hight, July \u201917, Sonoma, Calif.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock<\/strong> – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201914, Englishtown N.J.<\/p>\n

                         PS Motorcycle <\/strong>– 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. \u201912, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.                        <\/strong><\/p>\n

TICKETS:          <\/strong>For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also available online at www.NHRA.com\/tickets<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA GAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The most successful driver in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series history will look to hit a historic number at one of the biggest races of the 2019 season. Sixteen-time Funny Car champ John Force is after his 150th career win at the 50th annual AMALIE Motor Oil […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":24166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[107,717,44,6],"class_list":["post-24163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-amalie-motor-oil-gatornationals","tag-gainesville-raceway","tag-john-force","tag-nhra"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/2019_John_Force_Action.jpg?fit=2250%2C1500&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-6hJ","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24163"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24167,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24163\/revisions\/24167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}