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John Force wants to keep going rounds and picking up wins at Las Vegas

The 64 year-old Funny Car veteran is ready extend his points even more.

LAS VEGAS, NV --- When John Force’s Castrol GTX High Mileage Mustang comes rolling into Vegas, the 16-time champ will have a 43 point lead over his fellow teammate Robert Hight who happens be his son-in-law and president of John Force Racing. However, the 64 year-old Funny Car veteran is ready extend his points even more and put some distance between his nearest competitor come Sunday at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

John Force
John Force

Photo by: Anne Proffit

As the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season is ramping up, John Force also remembers the last time he was at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was on this very spot that he locked up his 16th NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car world championship by beating daughter Courtney in the final round at the 13th annual Toyota NHRA Nationals back in late October of last year.

However, that was last year and if Force has learned anything over decades he has been competing as a driver, you’re only as good as your last win or, in John Force’s case, his last world championship.

“We’re still pitching Corporate America and fighting to get money so we can still be out here doing what we love and enjoy doing. Right now though, I’m focused on winning races for my sponsors and fans and going after a 17th world championship,” said John Force.

As tenacious a driver can be, John Force is determined fight for what he has earned and built for himself, his drivers and the team. Like a boxer in the ring, John may have his back against the ropes but he’s a fighter that truly believes in himself and comes out swinging.

“Man, I love it out here and I’m hooked and maybe it’s pathetic. I’m scared to death they’ll take it away from me and my kids so I do the best I can,” said John Force.

This 16-time champ can also add another accolade to his already long list of achievements. John Force was recently named Racer of the Year XIX by the readers of Racer and Racer.com by a landslide vote. This was John’s second time he earned overall Racer of the Year honors as the first was when he came back after serious injuries to win the 2010 NHRA Funny Car title.

“This is the kind of thing that really makes you stop and think. I want to thank the fans who believe in me as I try to stay hungry yet humble and not think about it. The 2013 championship was special, and this award makes it even more special. All I can say is what an honor it is,” said John Force.

JFR

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