Championship Drag Racing

CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals
Pomona, CA
(February 8-11)

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Driver Profile

John Force Castrol GTX Ford Mustang

Pomona, Sunday: Heading into the weekend, all the media and fan attention was trained on Team Castrol drivers John and Ashley Force. They capped one of the most dramatic final qualifying sessions in drag racing history by qualifying in the 4th and 15th positions, respectively. On Sunday at the 47th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway, they made a less than dramatic early exit after a rain delayed start of eliminations. John Force lost to nemesis Cruz Pedregon when the supercharger drive belt failed on his Castrol GTX High Mileage Mustang and Ashley was ousted by brother-in-law and teammate Robert Hight, both in the first round.

"This was the top Funny Car field in history as far as ET qualifying," said John Force, the 14-time NHRA Funny Car Champ. "We put four cars in (the field) and it is just really exciting for all of us that I made the right decisions as the owner when I took on these youngsters. They are the next generation. Eric and Robert have both proved themselves. Ashley has a lot to learn, but I think she showed that under pressure she can qualify and race with the big boys out there."

The elimination results capped an emotional weekend for the Castrol drivers that saw the elder Force qualify for eliminations during the last session on Saturday, bumping Ashley out of the show momentarily in the process. Ashley regained a spot in the race on her last pass but was forced to face Hight in the first round of eliminations.

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