BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2010) – When John Force speaks, people listen. They kind of have to: the 14-time NHRA Funny Car champion and all-time winningest drag racer is anything but subtle. He’s loud, fast, funny, engaging, loud, passionate, poignant, clever, nostalgic, smart, real and yes, really loud. Imagine talking to a tornado and you get the idea.
Reporter Bill Groak chatted with Force recently regarding his role as Grand Marshal of the 52nd running of the March Meet, Mar. 5-7 at historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway near Bakersfield, Calif. In the interview, which Groak described as “a triple-shot of espresso,” Force bounced around a bit, touching on his memories of the fabled March Meet, racing (and struggling) in the old days and the popularity of nostalgia drag racing.
1. How does it feel to be the Grand Marshal of the 2010 March Meet?
John Force: I’m really honored and excited. It’s the March Meet. Auto Club CEO Tom McKernan is a big fan of it and he’s been asking me to go for years, but I always seem to be busy so I haven’t been able to go up there. Always wanted to, and now I am. It’ll be an exciting time. The March Meet is unbelievable. I’ve heard it’s huge now. I used to race there in (Steve) Plueger-sponsored cars back in the early days. Plueger and I go way back. I remember competing and there were so many big-name drivers like Snake and Mongoose running, they didn’t include new drivers like me in the program. So my name was never printed. When sponsors asked, I’d tell them I was listed in the ‘and many more’ section. That’s the truth.
But I really can’t wait to go and see all the cars. I’m glad Auto Club has invested in Famoso and the March Meet. McKernan’s real passionate about its history. I’ll be rooting for Plueger. God bless ’em all. I’m going to Bakersfield!
2. What are some of your memories of racing in the March Meet?
Force: The March Meet was a big part of my early years of drag racing.
I remember racing at Famoso and Weld Wheels was one of my first sponsors. I was making a run and my wheel came off. I stopped but the wheel kept going down the track – it outran me. I’ve been racing Funny Cars for 33 years. I’ve had Castrol as a sponsor for 25 years and the Auto Club for 15. But back in the early days, I didn’t have the money or the sponsors. It was a struggle. I was jumping around the country lookin’ for places to race, doing a lot match races. But if you wanted to be anybody, you had to go to the March Meet. That’s where all the best raced, like Snake and Mongoose. I would go there and come out swinging – you had to. I didn’t even have a uniform. I had to buy t-shirts from the local Wendy’s.
The March Meet is back. It should be an NHRA event again. I’m going back as Grand Marshal. I’m excited, but I don’t know what to do. I’m going up with Robert Hight. He loves it up there. They all know him there. Me, I’m a 14-time champion and people now call me ‘Ashley’s dad.’ I don’t care: I’m the Grand Marshal of the March Meet.
3. Cruz Pedregon is driving a replica of the Joe Pisano 1978 Plymouth Arrow Funny Car at this year’s event. Ever think about racing again at the March Meet?
Force: I know Worsham and Capps race there, too. I actually have the Brute Force car in my Yorba Linda museum, but know that the March Meet crowd has seen it there before, so it’ll probably just be me and Robert. I’m a hot rodder and that’s what Bakersfield is all about – winning. Pisano used to spank me, but one day, John Force will drive again at the March Meet. You can take that to the bank.
4. What were the early days of Funny Car like?
Force: They were tough. The cars weren’t computerized like today. We had to shift into high gear – really jerk it. There was a lot going on. And fire was a big issue. But whether you’re runnin’ at 250 or 350, if you don’t want to get hurt, don’t get in. The March Meet is a big part of the history of the sport, like Wally Parks. We all love the old days, but it had to evolve. Safety, speed and sponsorships all had to grow. The sport is much safer now. In the 50 years of NHRA racing, we’ve only lost a handful of drivers. You lose that many in one day on LA freeways. I’m really glad I’m going to the March Meet again. I used to sneak in. I remember it all from the early days. Who you are today has no meaning without history.
