John Force Racing consists of its legendary namesake driver and his son-in-law, Robert Hight, and daughter, Ashley Force Hood. They each drive similarly prepared Ford Mustangs in funny car, and in their third full year together, the competition web is as predictable as it is formidable.
Two weeks out from opening day of the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, one thing has become clear about this trio: Consistently eliminating your teammates beckons a shot at the championship.
Hight, the defending NHRA funny car series champion, went a combined 9-4 against his teammates in 2009. This year, John Force leads the pack and sits atop the point standings. The 14-time series champion is 6-3 against his son-in-law and daughter. Hight, who is second in the standings, is 1-3 against John and 2-0 against Ashley. So that explains why Ashley (2-3 against the others) is a respectable fifth in points.
“We have a great team, and it’s the truth: Unfortunately, we often have to beat a teammate to advance on,” said Hight, who last season was 4-2 against his sister-in-law Ashley and 5-2 against John. “It’s not what you want to see happen, but if it does, you want it to happen in the later rounds. When it happens in the first or second round, it’s too bad, but it’s our own fault because we didn’t qualify better.”
Ideally, the JFR drivers want to qualify 1-2-3 and ultimately race each other in the semifinals or finals.
“If we’re qualifying in the top five every week, we’re not going to run into each other until the semifinals,” Hight said.
John Force is having a rebound season after going winless last year for the first time since 1986. He was 23-24 last year but is 26-9 in 2010 with a series-high four wins, matching his victory total from the past three years combined. He has lost in the final round twice.
The NHRA begins its “western swing” this weekend at Seattle and then stops in Sonoma, Calif., on July 16-18. The July 23-25 Mile-Highs traditionally kick off the swing but will serve as its finale this year.
Lemon racing.
The first-year High Plains Raceway in Byers is hosting a unique endurance race Saturday and Sunday.
The 24 Hours of LeMons is kind of like the 24 Hours of LeMans, but the race in Byers is about mechanical limitations more than mechanical impressiveness.
More than 65 teams are expected to purchase and race cars with a value of $500 or less. The best-running junkyard dog will collect $1,500 for first place, paid in nickels.
The circuit began in California in 2006 and has grown to 21 races across the country.
Redo at CNS.
Colorado National Speedway got through the first of its two holiday midseason championship shows last weekend, but Sunday’s July 4 fireworks extravaganza was black-flagged after qualifying. Under track ticket policy, it was a completed event. However, CNS will honor last week’s tickets on Saturday and attempt to put on the same scheduled show — including a 100-lap late-models feature and fireworks.
The card includes GA modifieds, sportsman and figure-eights.
Spotlight: Jeff Gordon
Gordon looks for milestone
After making his Cup debut in the final race of 1992, which was the career finale for Richard Petty, Gordon will make his 600th career start Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway. It’s been an amazing career for the four-time series champion, who has driven the No. 24 Du Pont-sponsored Chevrolet his entire career. He has produced top-10 results in 371 of his 599 starts and has 82 victories, including three at the Daytona 500 and four at the Brickyard 400. Less than a month shy of his 40th birthday, Gordon is putting together a solid season. He’s winless but has nine top-five finishes and sits second in the standings.
On the move: Chris Eggleston
Momentum in truck series
The driver from Erie, who competes in three divisions at Colorado National Speedway, will attempt to qualify for his fifth NASCAR Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway on Sunday. In four previous starts this season, he finished 11th on March 27 at Martinsville, Va.; 24th on April 2 at Nashville; 30th on May 2 at Kansas; and 29th on May 21 in Charlotte, N.C. Eggleston again will drive the No. 21 Dodge owned by Mike Davis.
Local races to watch
The following Front Range motorsports venues are located within 50 miles of Denver and offer weekly races:
Bandimere Speedway ( 1/4-mile drag strip, Morrison) 303-697-6001 or
Colorado Motorsports Park ( 1/3-mile dirt oval, Byers) 720-422-5244 or
Colorado National Speedway ( 3/8-mile paved oval, Dacono) 303-665-4173 or
I-76 Speedway ( 1/4-mile dirt track, Fort Morgan) 970-867-2101 or
Thunder Valley (motocross park, Lakewood) 303-697-1003 or
Watkins Motocross (motocross park, Watkins) 303-341-6309 or
This week’s races
NASCAR SPRINT CUP 400 Site: Joliet, Ill.
TV: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, TNT
Track: Chicagoland Speedway (tri-oval, 1.5 miles)
Race distance: 400.5 miles, 267 laps
Points standings
1. Kevin Harvick 2,684
2. Jeff Gordon 2,472
3. Jimmie Johnson 2,459
4. Kurt Busch 2,439
5. Denny Hamlin 2,400
6. Kyle Busch 2,376
7. Matt Kenseth 2,322
8. Jeff Burton 2,319
9. Tony Stewart 2,251
10. Greg Biffle 2,234
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2,177
12. Carl Edwards 2,170
NATIONWIDE Dollar General 300 Site: Joliet, Ill.
TV: 6 p.m., Friday, ESPN
Track: Chicagoland Speedway (tri-oval, 1.5 miles)
Race distance: 400.5 miles, 267 laps
FORMULA ONE British Grand Prix
Site: Silverstone, England
TV: Noon, Sunday, KDVR-31 (taped)
Track: Road course, 3.667 miles
Race distance: 190.6 miles, 52 laps
NHRA Northwest Nationals
Site: Kent, Wash.
TV: 9:30 p.m., Sunday, ESPN2
Track: Pacific Raceways
