ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 13, 2022) – At the halfway point of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS team have kept themselves in the championship conversation and could make serious headway for a bid at a 17th championship with a win at this weekend’s Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex.
Force and the PEAK Camaro are entering the weekend from the No. 4 spot. Their three final round appearances that included a victory at the Charlotte Four-Wide event, nine semifinal appearances, including the PEAK car’s current streak of four-in-a-row, and two No. 1 qualifiers (both at zMAX Dragway) have kept them only 114 points back from teammate and points leader Robert Hight.
“It’s tough out there, trying to keep up with these kids. But we’re doing it. This PEAK Chevy team has been working hard, giving me a consistent race car. I’m just trying to do my job behind the wheel,” Force said. “You know, halfway through the Countdown and we still have a shot at it. Just have to keep on plugging away at it. This weekend is sure to be a show, everything Billy Meyer has going on, the extra fanfare, and then the competition at it’s all-time high. It’s going to be exciting.”
Force remains the career leader in victories at Texas Motorplex with wins in 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005 and in the discontinued spring race in 2000. At no other track has Force started from the No. 1 qualifying position more often than he has at Texas Motorplex – 12 times (matching his total at Lucas Indianapolis Raceway Park). In addition to starting the Texas FallNationals from No. 1 in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2019, Force also was No. 1 in three of four starts in the spring (1997, 1999 and 2000). The 16-time champion has also had two runner-up finishes at the FallNationals in 2010 and 2013. Last year, after qualifying his PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevy Camaro SS 11th, he had a second-round exit.
Competition at the Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex begins with four qualifying session Friday at 3:30 and 8:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Eliminations for the event will start on Sunday at noon. Television coverage will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Sunday starting with a qualifying show at 10:00 a.m. ET and eliminations at 10:30 p.m. ET.