KENT – There is no question who the Rock Star of the NHRA is. Ask any fan – or better yet, be around when he appears and watch the fans flock to him like he was giving away $100 bills.
Of course, “he” is John Force.
The multiple championship winner – he has an unprecedented 14 titles to go along with his 126 career Funny Car wins – just has to show his face outside of the John Force Racing hauler in Nitro Alley to attract a crowd of yelling, waving, photo-snapping fans.
Such was the case Friday at the 22nd annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways. When Force appeared on his motorbike in the staging lane during the first qualifying session for Top Alcohol Dragster – to watch daughters Courtney and Britney Force make passes – he was called to, waved at, asked to sign things, asked to be part of a picture, and has his back slapped.
To keep from being overwhelmed, Force was constantly in motion, moving from spot to spot on the bike or on foot.
Force withstood it all with his trademark smile and a laugh, easily dealing with fans
of all ages. He obliged an ESPN2 producer and cameraman’s request to go down the line, slapping fans’ hands, before climbing into his Funny Car to make a qualifying pass.
He wasn’t gone long, making the trip back to the top of the track to watch the qualifying pass of his third daughter, current Funny Car co-points leader Ashley Force Hood.
Old Sol: The warm temperatures – upper 80s to 90s on Friday and Saturday, somewhat cooler on Sunday – expected during the Northwest Nationals took some by surprise.
With air temperatures hitting the high 80s, the track temp was 123 degrees Fahrenheit at 3:45 p.m., up from 107 at 10:50 a.m. Unconfirmed reports put the track temperature as high as 130 degrees, before it cooled in the early evening.
Many of the Nitro drivers seemed to have trouble – moreso during the first of two qualifying sessions — shutting down early or making incomplete passes.
Which way to the airport? A Cessna 150 airplane landed on the drag strip Thursday night. The pilot, who knew the Northwest Nationals were scheduled, was returning to the Kent area from Orcas Islands and decided to overfly Pacific Raceways to get a look when the plane’s engine stalled. The Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the landing.
Delights to tempt all: Need a break from non-stop drag racing action? Feeling the urge to get out of the hot sun and find something cool to drink?
Take a walk around the grounds at Pacific Raceways, and fans can find any number of ways to spend time or grab something – anything you may want, in fact — to eat. No surprises, really, this is a three-day festival of speed hosted by a national racing series that will become the temporary home to thousands of fans.
The Nitro Mall and various team trailers have souvenirs, clothing, and hats, and racing industry and sponsor trailers offer free samples along with static displays of manufacturers’ wares. Just about each team’s pit area includes literature, as well as a fair-to-good view of the cars themselves.
Food tents offer something for just about any palette, from noodles to BBQ, subs to fried chicken, wash down with large cups of lemonade, soda or chilled water.
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