PEAK driver John Force ready to make some noise in Four-Wide Nationals eliminations

CONCORD, NC – PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver John Force has had a subtle weekend at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

But with a fast Camaro heading into eliminations, the 16-time champion could make a lot of noise on Sunday.

Force qualified No. 3 for the unique Four-Wide Nationals – behind John Force Racing teammates Courtney Force and Robert Hight. That’s the first time JFR swept the top three spots since Topeka 2014, when Courtney Force was No. 1, John Force was No. 2 and Robert Hight No. 3.

“We have won this race – I won the inaugural (in 2010),” Force said. “Robert has won it, and Brittany (Force) has won it. That only leaves (Courtney). So, we will see what happens tomorrow.

“But the cars have turned the corner, and that is evident anytime you are 1-2-3. It is only one race but we have been showing signs. It’s like I told Chevrolet late into last year: a lot of things are starting to change, and we will see where it goes from here.”

With Courtney Force hogging the headlines in qualifying by snaring her third consecutive No. 1 spot and Robert Hight showing lots of speed Saturday, John Force would seem like a third wheel this weekend. But he’s shown plenty of speed – and he’s not a 16-time champion for nothing.

Force was first in the first qualifying session, third in Q2, second in Q3 and fourth in the final session. His best qualifying pass was 3.889 seconds at 323.43 mph.

The three JFR Chevrolets are in different quads for the first round of eliminations, and only John and Hight are on the same side of the ladder. That means it’s possible for all three JFR cars to reach the final round, as the top two from each quad advance to the next round.

“We aren’t all stacked on top of each other so at least we will have the chance to have cars there but we will see where it goes,” Force said. “But I feel comfortable and the car ran all four runs, and it was consistent and we picked up some points three out of the four runs.”

Force’s quad includes No. 6 qualifier Ron Capps, No. 11 qualifier Del Worsham and No. 14 qualifier Chad Head.

Final eliminations begin at noon Eastern on Sunday. Fox Sports 1 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 5:30 p.m.