John Force has dominated the quarter-mile drag strip at Infineon Raceway during his legendary career, and he’ll be honored for his efforts at the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, presented by Supercuts, July 28-30.
Force will be inducted into the raceway’s prestigious Wall of Fame, joining fellow NHRA Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson, as well as NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace and Speedway Motorports Chairman and CEO O. Bruton Smith. The Wall of Fame was unveiled in 2005.
Force holds the all-time record in Sonoma for career NHRA wins with six, and he has reached the finals 10 times overall, leaving no doubt as to his dominance in the Sonoma Valley. For his career, Force is a 13-time world champion in Funny Car, including 10 straight from 1993-2002. He also holds the NHRA record for career wins (120), among his many accolades.
“It’s an honor to be recognized with drivers like Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace, but it’s really special to included with Bruton Smith, who’s given us so many great racetracks like Infineon Raceway,” Force said. “We’ve had a lot of success (at Infineon) in the past but I hope we have a lot more in the future.”
Force will be honored during pre-event ceremonies on Sunday, July 30, prior to the start of final eliminations. Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway, will present Force with a marble plaque that will feature his likeness. The plaque will be placed onto the Wall of Fame, which is located behind the main grandstand and is accessible to the public.
“John certainly has the right name. He’s a Force on the drag strip and is the most dominant competitor of his era,” Page said. “His success, combined with his personality, has made him one of the most distinctive and beloved characters in the sports world. It is an honor to have John Force on the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame.”
The Wall of Fame includes competitors from all forms of motor racing at Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR, NHRA, AMA, open-wheel cars, sports cars and more. Other 2006 inductees include Miguel Duhamel and Rich Oliver from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The Wall of Fame will also include those who have made significant contributions to the raceway over the years. A raceway committee oversees the selection process on an annual basis.