May 01/07
I don’t know about you folks but I’ve had all I can stand when it comes to the NHRA/John Force Racing side show. I had a tough time getting through the Atlanta coverage. The amount of time given to the Force team is nauseating and the time taken away from promoting the other professional teams is unforgivable.

How many times per broadcast do we need to watch John Force on his scooter or giving directions to Ashley? The first round of Top Fuel was interrupted nine times for team Force updates. At the end of the two and a half hour broadcast there had to be enough John Force family moments to fill an episode on A&E’s “Driving Force”. I’ve had it! From the way the NHRA “strokes” John Force it’s obvious that in their minds all the other pro teams are nothing more than a supporting cast for him. Could the NHRA be doomed if Force were to retire? I can’t stand it anymore!

Now before you Force fans start throwing stuff like the NASCAR fans do when Jeff Gordon wins and Dale JR doesn’t, let me explain a few things. I am also a John Force fan and respect what he has done for the sport. It is not his fault that top fuel points leader Rod Fuller had his run pre-empted for a Force update. It’s the NHRA’s fault and I believe their insecurity will come back to bite them. Since the first of the year John Force info bites have been too many, too often. John should be embarrassed by the way the NHRA is treating his peers. Actually, if you asked the NHRA they would probably tell you that John has no peers.

There is no question that what John Force has done for drag racing in the last fifteen years is considerable. But it is no more outstanding that what Don Garlits did for the sport in the previous twenty years. Don Garlits was to innovation and controversy what Force is to marketing. Garlits was part of a group of racers who brought drag racing to the main stream media. John’s power over the media is unrivaled. His ability to attract and retain corporate funding, outstanding. But has it gone too far? Edsel Ford II announced on Dave Despain’s show “Wind Tunnel”, that in drag racing Force was the only team that would receive funding from the Ford Motor Company. That’s it? That’s why there are no Pro Stock Ford’s. What a slap in the face to that eliminator, those fans and the racers. Maybe when Toyota decides to field a Pro Stock team Ford will realize their mistake just like the Chrysler Corporation did when they left NASCAR. Again, this is not John’s fault.

I was there and cheered as loud as anyone when John won his first national event in Montreal. I was also there at Indy when the Udder Nonsense Funny Car dropped a load of poop on the starting line but I’m not sure what that has to do with the current topic. I love John Force and have no axe to grind with the NHRA. The people there have always treated me with respect and kindness. I just do not like the direction they are going in.

Ok, so here’s why I’m really pissed. Once-upon-a-time my son said that he was going to marry Ashley Force, so naturally, when this happened I envisioned myself as a high profile team driver and celebrity, living large because I was part of the family. Geez, I wish I had not brought back that memory. Now I’m more depressed than ever. Think I’ll go to the drug store and some more medication.

You folks look after each other.

Bogus