[coverattach=1]Norwalk, Ohio – In a storybook finish John Force won Funny Car at the 32nd Annual NAPA Night Under Fire presented by Amalie Motor Oil, driving a replica of his very first race car from 1973, the “Night Stalker.”
Force took the win against Cruz Pedregon in the final round with a 4.250 second ET at 283.07 mph to Pedregon’s 5.062 ET pass at 147.68 mph. Pedregon lost traction and Force passed by him to take the win at the August 1 race.
The 2009 edition of the Night Stalker Funny Car was unveiled to the public for the first time during pre-race ceremonies and raced only at tonight’s Night Under Fire. It will be retired forever. Force’s brother “Diesel” Louie Force, his original crew chief, assisted in the unveiling. Addressing the capacity crowd Louie referred to the annual Night Under Fire as the ‘Big Kahuna’ of drag races, adding, “We’ve been to races all over, but it doesn’t get any better than right here in Norwalk, Ohio.”
After the race, Bill Bader, Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park, presented John Force the NAPA Night Under Fire Trophy at the starting line surrounded by fans. John Force promptly turned around and gave the trophy to his brother, thanking him for helping get his start in drag racing. Louie thanked his brother and said, “You know, we’ve come a long way.”
Force took the win against Cruz Pedregon in the final round with a 4.250 second ET at 283.07 mph to Pedregon’s 5.062 ET pass at 147.68 mph. Pedregon lost traction and Force passed by him to take the win at the August 1 race.
The 2009 edition of the Night Stalker Funny Car was unveiled to the public for the first time during pre-race ceremonies and raced only at tonight’s Night Under Fire. It will be retired forever. Force’s brother “Diesel” Louie Force, his original crew chief, assisted in the unveiling. Addressing the capacity crowd Louie referred to the annual Night Under Fire as the ‘Big Kahuna’ of drag races, adding, “We’ve been to races all over, but it doesn’t get any better than right here in Norwalk, Ohio.”
After the race, Bill Bader, Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park, presented John Force the NAPA Night Under Fire Trophy at the starting line surrounded by fans. John Force promptly turned around and gave the trophy to his brother, thanking him for helping get his start in drag racing. Louie thanked his brother and said, “You know, we’ve come a long way.”
