Over the years we’ve encountered many performers in the world of racing, but none quite like John Force.

Recently, he was a gracious host for a breakfast meeting at his 50,000 square foot “racing shop” in Yorba Linda, California, a building full of funny car history.

Our genial, loquacious host mingled through the media crowd, spinning yarns as rapidly as his monstrous cars reach speeds over 300 miles per hour. His raspy, high octave voice may miss a beat or two, backing off occasionally when he’s not on a straight line, like: “Now, what was I talking about?”

Believe me, that’s not a knock:  It’s a pleasure to hear the veteran of 30 drag race campaigns express his passion for his sport, something he is willing to support as an ambassador.

At the function, he had two of his other funny car drivers step to the lectern, but he couldn’t stay off the stage. Unlike them, he  didn’t need a microphone.

The legendary driver has been blessed with a wealth of success en route to winning 14 NHRA Funny Car championships.  

Humbly, he expressed his appreciation to the media and loved to sprinkle his answers about his drag racing family, which consists of three daughters and a son-in-law who are doing well in the sport.

John Force claims to be fit now, but a terrible 2007 accident at the Texas Motorplex could have ended his career.

“When you have a 330-mph runaway freight train . . . everything goes wrong,” he says in describing the crash.

Force suffered a compound fracture of the left ankle, broken bones in his hands and toes, ligament and tendon damage in his right knee. He has, though, pronounced himself fit for the 2009 campaign -- which begins February 5th-8th in the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals in Pomona.

Although  it would seem he has little left to prove on the track, Force has assumed a leadership role in improving race car safety following his crash and the 2007 death of team driver Eric Medien in a testing accident.  In recognition of those efforts, he was presented the Motorsports Achievement Award by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

“I support them if they (NHRA) intend to stay at 1,000 feet,”  said John, commenting on the NHRA’s decision to  reduce runs from the standard 1,320-foot, quarter-mile distance.  This was prompted after Scott Kalitta’s fatal accident.  “After hours of discussion," says John, " I think it’s right.”  

John's drag racing accomplishments are a striking contrast to a high school football career in which he quarterbacked Bell Gardens (Calif.) High to 27 consecutive losses. From that experience, he learned that a quarterback is only as good as the team around him, a premise he applied in 1985 when he borrowed enough money and made enough promises to hire former Chi-Town Hustler co-owner Austin Coil as his crew chief

As he weaved through the crowd of media visitors, he discussed his car collection from those years of competition.

“I don’t come here because it’s a job,” he says, honestly.  “Nobody’s paying me to be here. I’m doing it because this is what we do.  My employees (now numbering 80) see the media come through . . . that makes them feel like being with something big.  You know what I mean? Never get tired of talking to people.

“I’ve stood on a stage with some F1 drivers and never hear any of them mention a sponsor.  Not like the way we do. I spread the word anywhere I can.”      

John Force is the only drag racer to be named national motorsports Driver of the Year (1996). He owns a bevy of NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series records, including most NHRA tour victories (126), most NHRA rounds (202), most consecutive championships (10), most top-10 finishes (24), most consecutive starts (395),  most consecutive seasons with at least one win (22)
    
“It’s up to all of us to take drag racing to the next level in the name of Wally Parks, who gave his whole life to the sport,”  added Force. “I believe drag racing has a better chance over other types of racing in the present economic crush.

“Don’t get me wrong," continued John, "I love NASCAR, love ‘em all.  But drag racing is such a good product.  If you didn’t advertise the Winternationals, for example, the stands would still be full.  Everybody doesn't have to be told . . . they just go to it.  People in Topeka, San Francisco’s Height Ashbury and Gainsville . . . in a lot of different towns, they just know we’ll  be there.”

See Part II of Johnny's gabfest with John Force, below this article.