As one of theNationalHot RodAssociation’s (NHRA) original seven national events, Raceway Park is a major player in drag racing history.
Since the Old Bridge track first hosted an NHRA event in 1968, the best racers in the sport have left their mark on the quarter mile drag strip. This weekend, when Raceway Park hosts the 39th annual Lucas Oil SuperNationals, racers will be looking to add to Raceway Park tradition.
There will be many storylines playing out this weekend. For one, there is the legend John Force. Still fighting the effects of the worse crash of his 32-year career, he would like nothingmore than to claima victory at one of his favorite venues.
With four wins at the track in 26 appearances (the last in 1999), Raceway Park hasn’t been the kindest to the 14-time Funny Car champion. But it’s not victories that have made Raceway Park so special to Force. It’s what the racetrack, and more specifically, its promoter, the late Vinnie Napp, did for him that he doesn’t forget.
ItwasNappwho took a chance on a then relatively unknown Force 30 years ago.
“Vinnie took me to my first East Coast race,” recalled Force. “He booked me in, I think on a Wednesday night, and I always say that’s kind of how I got my start.”
While Force will be looking to drive his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to another NHRA win, so too will his daughter, 25- year-oldAshley Force, who has proved to be a chip off the old block. She’s not in it for the publicity.
Ashley Force was the first woman in 39 years of Funny Car racing to win a NHRA event and the first to lead the point standings. She is the highest-ranked driver in John Force Racing Inc., and a win in Sunday’s final could take her a step closer toward a championship.
“I think it’s exciting for the fans to finally have some female winners [since Force’s win,Melanie Troxle joined her as anNHRA winner] in Funny Car,” said Force. “But, I know it’s the guys on my team who got me to this point.
“I’mproud to be a female in the seat, but its Guido [crew chief Dean Antonelli] and Ron [Douglas, assistant crew chief] and my crewguyswho really deserve all the credit.”
For a Garden State angel, there is Top Fuel’s Doug Foley, who is from Sewell and called Raceway Park his home track at the start of his career. Earlier thismonth he had an exhibition race at the track and he believes that would give him an edge this weekend.
“We made a few passes down the same track we’ll be racing on this coming weekend, so that has to be an advantage,” he said. Brandon Bernstein, the son of six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein, would like some of his father’s Raceway Park success to rub off on him. Brandon is looking for his firstwin in 11 tries at Raceway Park, a track where his father won seven times.
Bernstein, who races in the Top Fuel class, has twice had the top qualifying time, but has never tasted victory.
“I feel like I need to conquer this track,” said Bernstein.
Tommy Johnson Jr. has conquered Raceway Park in the past. The defending champion in the Funny Car division haswon nine times at the Old Bridge track. Last year, a fire burned his Dodge Charger, but the pit crew put his car back together and he roared to an eventually win.
There is the father/daughter combo of John and Ashley Force and, there is the father/ son duo of Warren and Kurt Johnson in Pro Stock. They have 134 combined wins and were the first father/son duo to race in a final and also to finish one-two in the championship. They are based in Georgia.
Kurt Johnson is the current point leader in Pro Stock and his dad is 10th.
The Lucas Oil SuperNationals start tomorrowwith qualifying sessions from9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday will feature racing from 10:15 a.m. to 9 p.m and feature the first round of qualifying for Funny Car and Top Duel.
Saturday racing is from 10:15-9 p.m.
Sunday, the final eliminations will start 11 a.m. followed by the finals.
ESPN2 will televise the final on Sunday from 8-11 p.m.
For more information or to order tickets for the 39th annual Lucas Oil SuperNationals, call 732-446-7800.