FUNNY CAR ICON JOHN FORCE STILL EAGER TO ADD TO WIN TOTAL AT SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS

COMMERCE, Ga. — John Force has enough wins in his NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car career to seemingly quench anyone’s thirst for victory.

But after a tumultuous off-season and losing the Funny Car championship on the last day of the 2014 season, winning still feels as good as it ever has for the 16-time world champion and 142-time race winner.

After three straight first-round losses to open the 2015 season, Force seems to be coming around in his new 10,000-horsepower Peak Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro SS as well. He won in Las Vegas and has posted six round wins over the last three events, creating plenty of momentum heading into this weekend’s 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

“Well, winning is always a good feeling,” Force said. “It was a win-win for everybody. It was good for me. I’ve got a brand-new team, a bunch of young kids and I’m still learning their names. They’re all motivated and the win just gave us a little kick. We needed it. We didn’t win the championship last year, lost it by a round or two, (but) we’re back in business.”

Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the popular event at Georgia’s House of Speed that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The race is the seventh of 24 in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

With a new car, new sponsorships with Chevrolet and Peak, and plenty of new crew members, Force and his John Force Racing team were faced with making major adjustments heading into 2015. It’s taken time, as expected, and the learning curve is still very much there, but Force remains motivated and that enthusiasm and drive rubs off on everyone, starting with his rookie crew chief Jon Schaffer.

“You fight for a championship,” Force said. “That’s why right now when I’m struggling and I’m not where the racecar needs to be, nobody knows losing better than me. But every win is great because you’re doing it with sometimes a new sponsor. Me being with PEAK now, of course with Chevrolet, you never get tired of it.”

Force, who last won a world championship in 2013, almost made it back-to-back titles before falling to his most recent arch rival Matt Hagan down the stretch of the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. If anything, that has fueled Force through the entire process of building a new team. It hasn’t always been easy this season, as evidenced by the early-season struggles, but the journey remains a major motivator for Force.

“Coming back from a championship when you lost, coming back and winning, it’s great because you realize now that you get it, you know how to work it, how to build a team,” Force said. “I’m not going to let an age limit hold me down. I love it, and I’m going to do it as long as I can get in that seat and do that job. I’m never going to be the guy I used to be, but I can still race with these youngsters out here. I’m going to prove that to everybody.”

It will be tough to do in Atlanta against a loaded Funny Car field. Force has an impressive seven wins at Atlanta Dragway, the most among active NHRA pro drivers, but teammate Hight has also been strong, picking up his third win at the track a year ago.

Others in in pursuit of the Funny Car event crown are current points leader and two-time winner this season Ron Capps, Courtney Force, reigning world champ Hagan, Del Worsham, Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, three-time race winner Tony Pedregon and Tim Wilkerson.

John Force’s turnaround has been part of JFR’s recent resurgence, as Hight and Courtney Force have also made considerable strides over the last few events. That’s an encouraging sign with the bulk of the regular season approaching.

“We didn’t get the win (at the most recent event in Houston) like we did in Las Vegas but it is still a win when you learn,” Force said. “We got two cars to the semifinals. Courtney got the Traxxas Camaro and Robert got the AAA Texas Chevy to the semis. We are moving in the right direction and I am pretty pumped. The Top Fuel dragster (driven by Brittany Force) is going rounds. We have three Funny Cars in the top ten again and that dragster is about a round out of the top ten.”

In Top Fuel, Massey claimed his first victory at Atlanta Dragway last season when he defeated Doug Kalitta, who won the most recent event in Houston, in the final round. Massey won earlier this season in Gainesville, while teammate Antron Brown has three Atlanta wins. Three-time world champ Larry Dixon has the most Top Fuel wins at Atlanta Dragway with four, while eight-time and defending world champ Tony Schumacher has yet to visit the winner’s circle in Atlanta. Others to watch are Richie Crampton, J.R. Todd, Brittany Force, Clay Millican and 2012 Atlanta winner Steve Torrence.

In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson, who posted a win in Gainesville this year, leads all active drivers with five victories at Atlanta Dragway, falling to Jeg Coughlin in the final a year ago. He will face off against a host of challengers, including Allen Johnson and Larry Morgan, who are the two active Pro Stock drivers other than Anderson to win at Atlanta Dragway, defending world champ Erica Enders, who has won two national events in a row, rookie Drew Skillman, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray, Vincent Nobile and V Gaines.

Pro Stock Motorcycle returned to Atlanta following a year off in 2013 and three-time world champ Krawiec picked up right where he left off, scoring his third win at the facility. Four-time and defending world champ Hines is looking for his first Georgia victory since 2010, while other standouts include Angelle Sampey, a three-time world champ who has four victories at the track, two-time world champ Matt Smith, Hector Arana Jr., 2009 world champ Hector Arana, Gainesville winner Karen Stoffer and Steve Johnson.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will make its third stop of the 2015 season at Atlanta Dragway. The race also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, May 15, with sessions at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, May 16, at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 17.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, log on to www.NHRA.com/tickets or call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Children 12 and younger are free. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. I-85 to Exit 149 (Hwy 441). After exiting the freeway, go north on Highway 441 to Steven Tanger Blvd. Take left on Tanger and then go right on Ridgeway Road.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 1,100 feet above sea level; Track direction is southeast to northwest.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 15-17

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, May 15 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:15 and 5:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 16- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at noon. Round 1 of eliminations at 2:45 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 17 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, May 16, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 9 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, May 17, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations coverage starting at 9 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Saturday, May 16, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C

Sunday, May 17, 6 – 6:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C

(3760 MHz, horizontal; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)

Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.

2014 EVENT WINNERS: Spencer Massey, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock, Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: Dave Schultz, 8, PSM; John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 5, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 4, TF/FC; Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Angelle Sampey, 4, PSM; Greg Anderson, 4, PS; Lee Shepherd, 4, PS.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.732 sec. and 328.86 mph by Doug Kalitta, May ’14.

Funny Car – 4.012 sec. by Alexis DeJoria, May ’14; 320.58 mph by Courtney Force, May ’14.

Pro Stock – 6.493 sec. by Erica Enders, May ’14; 213.00 mph by Jason Line, May ’14.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.794 sec. and 197.54 mph by Eddie Krawiec, May ’14.

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.

Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., April ’15, Charlotte, N.C.

TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also available online at www.NHRA.com/tickets.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1. Tony Schumacher, 474; 2. Spencer Massey, 441; 3. Antron Brown, 437; 4. Shawn Langdon, 406; 5. Doug Kalitta, 390; 6. Richie Crampton, 374; 7. Steve Torrence, 325; 8. Larry Dixon, 318; 9. Clay Millican, 312; 10. J.R. Todd, 299.

Funny Car: 1. Ron Capps, 431; 2. Matt Hagan, 425; 3. Del Worsham, 401; 4. Robert Hight, 397; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., 369; 6. Jack Beckman, 353; 7. (tie) Alexis DeJoria, 328; John Force, 328; 9. Courtney Force, 301; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 291.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 510; 2. Jason Line, 495; 3. Greg Anderson, 458; 4. Chris McGaha, 432; 5. Rodger Brogdon, 385; 6. Vincent Nobile, 337; 7. Drew Skillman, 334; 8. Larry Morgan, 320; 9. Shane Gray, 295; 10. Allen Johnson, 280.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Karen Stoffer, 115; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 98; 3. (tie) Shawn Gann, 72; LE Tonglet, 72; 5. Angelle Sampey, 66; 6. Andrew Hines, 59; 7. Hector Arana, 54; 8. Angie Smith, 51; 9. Matt Smith, 43; 10. (tie) Steve Johnson, 34. Jim Underdahl, 34.