FORCE TEAMS PREPARE FOR HOUSTON AFTER EMOTIONAL GATORS

 BILL STEPHENS CAPTURES THE EMOTION – “IN THE GROOVE”

Winning the race this weekend was a major priority for the team. The healing that is still underway after Eric’s fatal accident in Gainesville last year would have taken a giant leap forward had one of the JFR cars found a way to the winner’s circle.

All there was at the end of the day on Sunday was disappointment.

All four cars qualified, despite the fact that rain canceled Friday’s qualifying program. With only two shots on Saturday, the pressure was on but John, Ashley, Robert, and Mike got it done. Mike qualified 14th even though he only ran Saturday’s first session because there was a mechanical issue which kept him from making a second pass later in the day.

The Gatornationals were over early for the team. John, Mike, and Robert were out in Round 1 and Ashley was through in the quarter-finals. The energy drop around their pit area was all too tangible. It’s on days like this that I avoid hanging around the teams when they get back to their pits. There’s not a whole lot you can say and since we talking about seasoned professionals here, they understand there’s not much TO say. You deal with it, try to take something from the experience that will help you next time, and look ahead to the next race.

John is looking fit but his rehab program continues to demand a lot from him. He’s not constantly on the move like he was before the accident in September, as much because he’s still a bit tender in his left ankle as it is a conscious decision to slow down a tad. I’m pleased to hear him say he’s idling back on his schedule whenever possible. He’ll be 59 in two months and he’s getting better at pacing himself.

I once again saw first-hand in Gainesville the remarkable phenomenon which occurs at national events in the south: Gainesville, Memphis, Atlanta, Bristol, etc. The crowd on Saturday was enormous and the traffic jam leading to Gainesville Raceway at 10 AM—some two hours before the first qualifying session—was massive. It was slow-going from five miles away and where the track personnel eventually found room for everyone to park is one of the great achievements in modern motorsports.

But on Sunday, at precisely the same time in the morning, with final eliminations fast approaching, I literally drove right to the track with hardly a single delay. And that’s the impact of the “Bible Belt” on professional racing. Saturday is the day that families pursue their recreational activities and Sunday is “Go to Church” day, or have their family get-togethers after church. I can remember talking to former racers and officials who worked or competed at Bristol Dragway when it was the showcase venue for the IHRA and they would tell me stories about how great crowds would turn out for Saturday’s program but there were plenty of empty seats to be found the next day, regardless of the weather.

This is not to suggest that Sunday’s crowd in Gainesville was light. It was still a huge gate, but noticeably down from Saturday’s attendance. Pretty fascinating.

We’ll take a couple of weeks off and reboot the computer in Houston for the O’Reilly Spring Nationals (and spring arrives this Friday—YEAAAAA!!!!) at Houston Raceway Park. JFR needs a bunch of round wins and some regular appearances in the winner’s circle to pick everyone up. Gainesville was a real downer.

After the Spring Nationals, come on back here for another “In the Groove” and I’ll have more to say.

Until then, Happy Easter and drive safely!

CONGRATS TO NEWEST TRIVIA CONTEST WINNER - Addie Prater from Waco, GA.  We always get thousands of fans responding to the Bill Stephens’ posted TRIVIA questions, and this month Addie got it right and got picked as the winner.  Check out this month’s trivia question and see if you can search the internet for the answer.  GOOD LUCK!!!

THE NEWEST JOHN FORCE RACING APPAREL – is now in stock.  We’ve got all the latest hats, t-shirts, women & kids apparel; along with sweatshirts hot of the presses.  ORDER YOURS TODAY and don’t wait in long lines at the races!  Be the first one on the block with the “BOSS IS BACK” John Force t-shirt, or the very cool retro patch hat with its tattered and torn look. (2008 Apparel Souvenirs) 

ERIC MEDLEN – ONE OF A KIND INSTRUMENT GAUGES – We are posting a set of Eric Medlen Automotive Gauges designed and made by Classic Instruments as a fundraiser for Races for Christ on eBay.  Check out Item #: 260222656150 if you’d like to bid on this one-of-a-kind collectible for your hot rod, musclecar or classic car.

WIN A COLLECTIBLE OLD SPICE VICTORY TOWEL FOR CHARITY – Old Spice is joining forces with drag racing’s most successful Funny Car Team, John Force Racing, with Mike Neff (driver of the Old Spice Ford Mustang) and team members John Force, Ashley Force and Robert Hight, to auction off their Old Spice Victory Towels for charity, as seen in winner’s circle (NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series races).  100 percent of proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House. (Old Spice Towel)

ONLY A FEW LEFT OF THE ASHLEY FORCE WHITE GOLD “ROOKIE” DIECAST – Ashley Force’s Castrol GTX “Rookie” diecasts have nearly sold out in every category: Standard Paint (Item # 4081) – Color Chrome (Item # 4083 ) – White Gold  (Item # 4082).  These are in high demand as a collectible.  If you haven’t ordered yours yet, now is the time to purchase them before they are SOLD OUT!!!  These diecasts will only increase in collectible value as these are her rookie cars.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OUR RACE FANS – SPONSORS - FRIENDS