EPPING, N.H. — In a final round bout that brought a sell-out crowd to its feet at New England Dragway, John Force captured Wally No. 157 on Sunday afternoon.
It was a joyous celebration for Force’s crew as they scored their second win of the season.
However, after the pandemonium and ruckus of fans clamoring at the victory stage to see the 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion hoist another Wally, Force had a lot on his mind.
In a somewhat somber press conference in Epping, Force was quick to reveal why.
“I’m down because I don’t like beating my teammate,” Force began.
Force topped teammate and Funny Car rookie Austin Prock in the final round at the New Hampshire-based track.
“He’s the future,” Force said of Prock. “Robert Hight will be coming back. I gotta get that other dragster out, I’m looking for another driver and I’m talking to people.”
The 75-year-old living legend was looking toward the future of John Force Racing, with Prock being the heir-apparent to Force’s seat. When that comes is yet to be seen.
Confliction was apparent on multiple levels.
“My time’s up. It was up when I turned 65. It was up when I turned 55,” Force said.
However, the moment ended lighthearted momentarily.
“I wanna be positive. You’ll see me, I’ll be here next year and I’ll probably be in a Top Fuel car,” Force joked.
Force understands his time in the spotlight aboard a 11,000-horsepower Funny Car is nearing its conclusion.
He also recognizes the importance of having the future of his multi-car race team in good hands with top-notch talent.
That stout, young talent was a key point for Force as he described the difficulties of staying on the top of his game despite major age differences.
“I look at a young kid like Prock, and they have all that natural ability,” Force said. “So does Hagan, Capps, J.R. Todd, (Tim) Wilkerson’s kid (Daniel) out there. All of them just have that natural.
“It’s a fight for me just to stay in the game,” Force admitted. “It shouldn’t be that way. My team deserves better.”
That fight has only made Force more formidable this season.
Force bagged a second trophy on Saturday after winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge as well.
What Force continues to do at an age where retirement is the norm in any career, let alone man-handling a 330-plus mph dragster to the limit, is nothing short of unbelievable. Even incomprehensible.
Instead of pointing to his resiliency, Force handed the credit for his recent resurgence to his car tuners.
“Daniel Hood is doing a great job and so is (Chris) Cunnigham. I teamed him up and (Tim) Fabrisi. They give me a car that goes down the race track every run.
“I haven’t had that in years.”
Prior to this season, Force had one victory (zMAX Dragway in North Carolina) over the last two years.
While contemplation of his future continues to be a major talking point, Force reiterated he’s not done wheeling a race car.
“I am not quitting today,” Force affirmed. “They asked me, ‘Are you gonna be at Bristol?’ I wouldn’t interview on it, I just said, ‘This kid’s my replacement,’ because he’s coming.”
For now, both JFR drivers have taken a stranglehold on the top two spots in the Funny Car standings, with Prock vaulting to the top spot while Force is a close second, 22 markers back.