JOLIET, Ill. (May 17, 2023) – John Force and his BlueDEF PLATINUM / PEAK Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS will have a bit of different look entering the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Old World Industries (OWI), PEAK and BlueDEF’s parent company, the hood of Force’s Chevy Camaro will dawn the names of all OWI employees.
The John Force Racing and OWI partnership started in 2014 as an associate sponsorship before PEAK became the primary sponsor of 16-time world champion Force in 2015.
“I’m proud of the partnership Old World Industries and John Force Racing has developed. John has truly made us a part of the John Force Racing family. It’s been a partnership built on trust and faith,” said Tom Hurvis, Founder and Chairman of Old World Industries. “John, he’s an ideal ambassador for this company, we share many of the same beliefs and have built our success with family in mind. We treat our partners and our employees with the same respect, bringing them into the folds as family.”
Returning to Route 66 Raceway for the first time since 2019, Force will be looking to land the OWI employee hood in the winner’s circle for the fourth time in his career, he has wins in 2000, 2004, and 2006. When he last competed at the historic facility, Force qualified 11th but had a semifinal finish. He’s also been the No. 1 qualifier of the event a total of five times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012).
“I’m really looking forward to racing back in Chicago. We’ve already had a busy week. This being PEAK and Old World Industries hometown race, they had a hand in getting this race back. Just like they’ve kept me around, they’re helping keep our sport around too,” Force said. “Hurvis, he’s almost as old as me, we have a lot in common. He’s proud of what he’s built, brought his family in and I’m the same. He’s keeping me out here racing, I owe a lot of this to him, to PEAK, BlueDEF and all the Old World family, they trust me, have faith in me, and that means a lot to me. It’s going to be a fun weekend with all their employees out at the race. We’re going to do our best to get them in the winner’s circle.”
In addition to his three wins, Force also was runner-up in 1999, 2001 and 2013 Route 66 Nationals and twice lost in the finals of the short-lived fall race (2001 and 2004). Force currently sits eighth in the NHRA Camping World points standings and is looking for his first win of the 2023 season.
The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway starts with qualifying Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday eliminations are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be aired on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout will air Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET on FS1. Sunday eliminations are slated to begin on Sunday at 10:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
