Forces Face Off In Historic Southern Nationals
Brown Grabs Commerce To Fuel Victory
By Brandon Reed
It was déjà vu all over again.
Last year, John and Ashley Force made racing history at the Atlanta Dragway by becoming the first father and daughter to race each other in eliminations in NHRA drag racing history, with the younger Force coming out on top.
There was a big difference this year, however. While the Force duo again faced each other in eliminations on the Commerce quarter-mile, this time it was in the final round, for the win.
For Ashley Force, the result was the same. She beat her father with a run of 4.837 seconds at 320.26 miles an hour, racing into the history books as the first woman to win a national event in the Funny Car category.
“I’m just happy to win an event. That was the main thing. Being a female, that’s exciting for the record books and everything, but my team, we just wanted to get our first win. To finally get it done here in Atlanta, we’re just a little bit relieved but excited as well.”
Either way the race went it would have been historic. John Force, the iconic 14-time champ, was looking for his 1000th career round win, as his daughter sought her first victory.
John had fought his way past teammate Mike Neff, number one qualifier Tim Wilkerson, and fellow Ford pilot Bob Tasca III to get the finals. Ashley knocked off number six qualifier Del Worsham, veteran Jim Head, and three-time Atlanta runner-up Ron Capps to put herself into position.
The drivers had raced between the raindrops all day at Atlanta, enduring five rain delays throughout the afternoon.
That number went up to six as the Team Force cars fired their engines to roll to the line.
Ashley said the rain did not help her nerves before the historic run.
“That’s about the worst I’ve felt getting ready to make a run, ever,” she said. “Obviously, I need to work on that, because that’s a big thing with being a driver. You’ve got to stay focused, and not let those kind of things get into your head.”
When the rain stopped, and the cars finally lined up, Ashley’s focus was clearly on her job.
As the green light flashed, both cars leapt forward. But John’s car broke traction, while Ashley streaked down the quarter-mile and into the record books.
Ashley said her father had a little time to speak with her before the victory lane celebration began.
“He just came over and congratulated me,” she said. “He told me good job, and he told my team good job, and then they whisked me away. I haven’t seen him since.”
Ashley leaves Commerce with a 59-point lead in the Funny Car category, after becoming the first woman in history to lead in that division the week before.
Top Fuel
Almost lost in the Force-a-thon was the fact that Top Fuel rookie Antron Brown picked up his second win of the season, taking out points leader Tony Schumacher in the finals. Brown, who moved up from the Pro Stock Motorcycle division this year, took his dragster down the strip with a 4.537-second run at 325.14 mph.
“We just take it round by round each race.” Brown said. “I’m just tickled to death to be able to be a part of this race team.”
Brown made his way to the finals by defeating David Grubnic, top qualifier Cory McClenathan, and Alpharetta’s Bob Vandergriff, Jr.
“It just felt fantastic,” Brown said.
Pro Stock
Oklahoma’s Mike Edwards came into Sunday’s final round looking for his first victory since 2006. His opponent, Jason Line, was appearing in his second consecutive final round.
In the end, it was Edwards driving his Pontiac to the win, with a 6.680 run at 206.20 miles an hour.
“You just can’t describe the feeling of winning one of these races in this class. There are so many good teams and it’s been so long since I last won. It’s just an unbelievable feeling to win one of these races.
“I’m so thankful for this team. I’m so thankful for God. This win is for him, I give him all the glory.”
Edward’s path to victory lane took him first past Dave Northrop, then past number four qualifier Allen Johnson, and former 2007 Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin. Along with being his first win since 2006, it was his first final round appearance in two years.
The day wasn’t as good for Sugar Hill racers Warren and Kurt Johnson. Hall of Famer Warren was defeated by Jeg Coughlin in round one eliminations, while Kurt fell to number three qualifier Justin Humphreys in round two.
Pro Stock Bike
Pro Stock Motorcycle jockey Andrew Hines came to Commerce on a mission. He wanted to be top qualifier for the Southern Nationals.
Not only did he accomplish that task with a pass setting the track record for elapsed time at 6.950 seconds at 192.30 miles an hour, he piloted his Harley Davidson to his first win of 2008.
“I can’t say enough about what the guys have done with the engines back at the shop,” Hines said. “It was just going down the track so smooth and so great all weekend long, I just can’t believe it. I’ve never had a motorcycle that’s made that many runs in a row almost flawless.”
Hines defeated number two qualifier Chip Ellis in the final, turning in a 6.946 second run at 191.40 miles an hour. He defeated Michael Phillips, Matt Guidera and Craig Treble to get to the finals.
Georgia native Junior Pippin went out in round one, when he fouled out from the starting line.
Other winners on the day included Spencer Massey in Top Alcohol Dragster, and Frank Manzo, who defeated Gainesville’s Steve Harker in Top Alcohol Funny car.
Rick Brown took top honors in Competition Eliminator, Kevin Helms won in Super Stock, and Lee Zane was victorious in Stock Eliminator.
Sharpsburg native Bubba Watts won in Super Comp, while Gary Federico won in Super Street.
The NHRA Powerade tour now moves to Madison, Ill. on May 2. Atlanta Dragway’s next Summit Racing Series event will be held on Saturday, May 3.
