“Racing John Force: Stories from the Racers who Knew Drag Racing’s Greatest Champion

The extravaganza that is NHRA’s 75th anniversary will continue next year when the series – and, indeed, anyone that loves straight-line racing – will turn to the GOAT of Funny Car, John Force, to celebrate his 50 years in the sport. The winner of 157 races, 16 national championships isn’t strapping in anymore after the effects of his 2024 accident at Virginia Motorsports Park took the Californian out of action.

Never mind. There’s still plenty to celebrate and there will be at least 20 ways to commemorate John Force’s long and illustrious career at each 2027 race. NHRA made the announcement that 2027 will be the Year of John Force before even half of this year’s 20-race campaign was complete. The celebration has already begun and one of the sport’s finest media members, someone who worked with John Force at his eponymous team is behind an upcoming book: “Racing John Force: Stories from the Racers who Knew Drag Racing’s Greatest Champion.

Elon Werner, who served as John Force Racing’s team PR rep for 14 years, from 2006-2019 and who has been a vital part of drag racing in excess of 30 years, has the unique insight and access to NHRA drivers, whether active or retired. Werner is able to coerce personal insights from racers who watched Californian Force move from a menace on the dragstrip to the undisputed, greatest drag racer of all time. 

After 50 years in the sport, there are plenty of people in the drag racing community who have opinions on Force, just as the guy whose bluster is almost as grand as his capabilities behind a steering wheel, has opinions on everything from how a race went to how the sport is progressing. Talking with drivers that have raced against Force during his extensive career meant that Werner would have to get together with some veterans that don’t come to the races terribly often. With some, they spoke by phone.

“Racing John Force: Stories from the Racers who Knew Drag Racing’s Greatest Champion examines the first time each driver raced against Force, starting from the time where the former truck driver was anything but a legend, unless he was talked about for his lack of competitiveness. Those early days were nothing like the days when Force was winning everything.

“I can’t thank all the drivers and drag racing personalities who took some time and told me their memories and experiences of racing John Force for the first time,” Werner explained. “John’s career and accomplishment are his story to tell, but hearing the stories of his legendary rise to drag racing superstardom, from so many perspectives throughout his career, was amazing. Every driver,” Werner confirmed, “ had a unique perspective and their stories will be perfect or Force fans or anyone who wants to see how someone can rise from nothing to be the best in the world, through sheer determination, grit and a passion for following their dream against all odds.”

Producing this book was inspired by Werner’s deep experience with Force, as well as reading Stephen Brunt’s book Facing Ali, and after a conversation with current Funny Car racer Dave Richards, following that driver’s first attempt against Force during the inaugural 2013 NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire. It ws then that Werner realized that racing Force was an initial  and unique experience that stayed with his competitors.

Richards’ story was the starting point for Werner, as he began to collect personal stories from drivers, crew chiefs, former Orange County International Raceway legendary starter, Larry Sutton and track operators, including John Bandimere Jr of Denver’s former Bandimere Speedway and Bill Bader Jr., impresario at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH. 

Some of the Funny Cars drivers who contributed to the book include Kenny Bernstein, who regaled Werner with his story of the final round against Force at the 1979 Cajun Nationals, Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, Whit Bazemore, daughters Ashley Force Hood and Courtney Force, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Cruz Pedregon, Gary Scelzi, Robert Hight, Austin Prock, Frank Hawley, Jim Dunn, Al Segrini, Jack Beckman, Gary Densham, Dean Skuza, KC Spurlock, Mike Neff, Billy Meyer, Del Worsham, Mike Dunn and a host more. 

In putting together this tome, Werner also spoke with Top Fuel competitors Bob Vandergriff Jr. and reigning, two-time champion Doug Kalitta, who battled Force during the infamous Funny Car versus Top Fuel 1999 Winston No Bull Showdown. The latter story alone could be worth the price of admission!

These personal accounts tell the story of Force as he rose to worldwide fame and popularity, notching win after win after win. It was a far cry from his humble beginnings as a truck driver. These dramatic and often hilarious stories are supplemented by award-winning photographer Richard Shute’s historic photography  and that of his firm, Auto Imagery. Shute has captured every single Force NHRA Winners Circle and has every significant achievement of the racer. He is providing photography that’s never been published before, specifically for this book.

Werner intends to highlight everyone that spoke with him in the context of how they fit into the incredible group of drivers, personalities and track operators that worked and played with John Force over his 50-year career. Statistics, historical notes and backstories will be provided with the introductions of each contributor, but the stories themselves will fully be the interviewee’s personal recollections. This book, John Force: Stories from the Racers who Knew Derag Racing’s Greatest Champion is scheduled for release in 2027; publisher and release date are expected to be confirmed before the close of this year’s NHRA 75th anniversary Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.