FUNNY CAR ICON JOHN FORCE READY TO TAKE COUNTDOWN PERFORMANCE TO NEXT LEVEL AT NHRA KEYSTONE NATIONALS

MOHNTON, Pa. – John Force has put together a solid start to the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship and has had another strong regular season in Funny Car.

But if the 16-time Funny Car world champion wants another world title, he knows he has to be great and that hasn’t happened quite yet during the first two races of the NHRA’s six-race playoff series.

Performing at an elite level is what is necessary to stay competitive and win in the loaded Funny Car class these days, and Force has four more chances to reach that level during the Countdown to the Championship, including at this weekend’s 31st annual NHRA Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, located just south of Reading, Pa.

“No one is out of this championship yet,” said Force, who is currently fifth in the Funny Car points standings. “A good race in Reading gets you right back into the middle of this Countdown. Momentum is great but really you just need consistency. The weather will be cool and we need to run quick and we can do that. (Crew chief) Jon Schaffer is giving me a good race car and I am working on getting better on the tree.”

Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The lucrative event is third of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, finishing off a demanding string of three straight playoff weekends.

For Force, it’s a chance to take another step in the playoffs after advancing to the semifinals in Charlotte and the second round last weekend in St. Louis. Both were solid performances, but with Del Worsham winning both events to jump into the points lead, Force knows he has work to do in his 10,000-horsepower Peak Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro. The good news is Force has a strong track record at Maple Grove Raceway. He has posted an NHRA-best seven wins at the facility, including his most recent one in 2013 when he went on to win the world championship.

“Maple Grove is a great place to race and especially in the Countdown,” Force said. “This weekend will be important because we need to make some moves. We are right there with the competition but I need to get my Peak Chevrolet Camaro in the winner’s circle. The key will be getting off to a fast start on Friday with all three of these John Force Racing Chevys and that Monster Energy dragster.”

Force, who trails Worsham by 149 points, fell to reigning world champion and St. Louis runner-up Matt Hagan last weekend despite running a strong 4.014. But he needed a three-second run at that juncture, something that has happened on numerous occasions this year for Force, including in qualifying in St. Louis. That means the 143-time winner remains close to where he wants to be and he hopes to make another step this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway.

“If you look at the leaps and jumps in performance we have made in making these cars faster, we are right there,” Force said. “When other teams run in the threes, we are right there in the threes with them. We aren’t on their pace yet, but it isn’t just one team. You look out there and there are four or five teams running in the threes, and we are right in the mix. We have four races left, and we need those Chevrolet engineers to keep working with us.”

What has continued to amaze Force throughout this season, one that has included two victories for the legendary driver, is how competitive the class has been. Worsham has been red-hot during the Countdown, also setting a national elapsed-time record in St. Louis with a run of 3.899 seconds, and now finds nine championship contenders chasing him.

That includes Force, as well as Hagan, who sits in second, Jack Beckman, who has a class-best six wins in 2015, Tommy Johnson Jr., Ron Capps, Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson and teammate Robert Hight. But Force knows his team, full of youthful enthusiasm, will fight until the end and that has him motivated to finish the season with a resounding statement.

“The Funny Cars are running together like Pro Stock,” Force said. “The key is we have four races, and there are a lot of rounds still out there. We’ll see what happens.

“I have always been excited to get to the racetrack and when I get around these young guys it just puts a smile on my face. When I am in my firesuit I feel like a 20 year old and most of these crew guys are about that old so we are a perfect match.”

In Top Fuel, Antron Brown has been leading the pack with two wins in the Countdown, opening up a 77-point lead over defending event winner and reigning world champion Tony Schumacher. Other Countdown standouts include three-time world champion Larry Dixon, Brittany Force, J.R. Todd, Doug Kalitta, Richie Crampton, who has four wins in 2015, Dave Connolly, 2013 world champion Shawn Langdon and Steve Torrence.

Erica Enders has the largest points lead in any class, extending her Pro Stock advantage to 113 after a runner-up finish in St. Louis followed her Charlotte victory. The reigning world champion will look to get a step closer to a second world title in Reading, but will have to deal with the likes of four-time world champion Greg Anderson, who sits in second, Allen Johnson, rookie Drew Skillman, who picked up his first career Pro Stock win last weekend, Larry Morgan, Chris McGaha, Vincent Nobile, Jason Line, Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, reigning world champion Andrew Hines will look for his second win in the Countdown at Maple Grove after his earlier playoff win in Charlotte. Hector Arana Jr. moved to second in points with his win in St. Louis, while regular season points leader Eddie Krawiec now sits in third. Others to watch include Jerry Savoie, who is three points behind Krawiec in fourth, Matt Smith, Hector Arana, two-time season winner Karen Stoffer, Jim Underdahl, Chip Ellis and Scotty Pollacheck.

Teams in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will race hard in their quest to become winners of the thrilling event during the weekend.

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 get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Oct. 2, with sessions at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Maple Grove Raceway at (610) 856-9200 or visit www.maplegroveraceway.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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NHRA KEYSTONE NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 31st annual NHRA Keystone Nationals, the 21st of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the third of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. 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: Maple Grove Raceway, Mohnton, Pa. Track is located off the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Exit 298), 10 miles south of Reading, Pa.

COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 548 feet above sea level; Track direction is north to south.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 1-4

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, Oct. 1 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, Oct. 2 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 3 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, Oct. 4 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 6 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 will re-air 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 3 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 8 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Saturday, Oct. 3, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 3/Transponder 24C

Sunday, Oct. 4, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 3/ Transponder 24C

(4180 MHz, vertical; 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: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Matt Hagan, Funny Car; Rodger Brogdon, Pro Stock; Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: John Force, FC, 7; Angelle Sampey, PSM, 6; Tony Schumacher, TF, 5; Jeg Coughlin, PS, 4; Warren Johnson, PS, 4.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ’12; 334.15 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. ’12

Funny Car – 3.986 sec. by Jack Beckman, Oct. ’12; 323.97 mph by John Force, Oct. ’14

Pro Stock – 6.465 sec. by Erica Enders, Oct. ’14; 214.35 mph by Line, Oct. ’12

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. and 198.73 mph by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.

Funny Car – 3.899 sec. by Del Worsham, Sept. ‘15, Madison, Ill.; 330.47 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ‘15, Madison, Ill.

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

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

TICKETS: For tickets call (610) 856-7200. Tickets also are available at www.maplegroveraceway.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the second of six playoff races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 2,320; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2,243; 3. Larry Dixon, 2,161; 4. Brittany Force, 2,157; 5. J.R. Todd, 2,149; 6. Doug Kalitta, 2,139; 7. Richie Crampton, 2,133; 8. (tie) Dave Connolly, 2,127; Steve Torrence, 2,127; 10. Shawn Langdon, 2,126.

Funny Car: 1. Del Worsham, 2,327; 2. Matt Hagan, 2,237; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,211; 4. Jack Beckman, 2,208; 5. John Force, 2,178; 6. Ron Capps, 2,177; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,123; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 2,116; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 2,107; 10. Robert Hight, 2,099.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 2,331; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,218; 3. Allen Johnson, 2,195; 4. Drew Skillman, 2,171; 5. Larry Morgan, 2,167; 6. Chris McGaha, 2,162; 7. Vincent Nobile, 2,155; 8. Jason Line, 2,125; 9. Shane Gray, 2,117; 10. Jonathan Gray, 2,066.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 2,259; 2. Hector Arana Jr, 2,225; 3. Eddie Krawiec, 2,208; 4. Jerry Savoie, 2,205; 5. Matt Smith, 2,167; 6. Karen Stoffer, 2,146; 7. Hector Arana, 2,135; 8. Chip Ellis, 2,131; 9. Jim Underdahl, 2,094; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,041.