Funny Car Legend John Force after Third Straight Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Win

CONCORD, NC – April 27, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Legendary Funny Car driver John Force has always held zMAX Dragway in high regard and the 16-time world champion has also posted impressive results at the track in recent years, especially in the highly unique and thrilling four-wide setting.

Force has won the four-wide race in Charlotte in back-to-back years, bringing a string of dominance at the race into this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. The longtime star will look for a third straight win – and his 156th career victory – in the event regarded as one of the biggest spectacles in motorsports.

Force moved up five spots in the loaded Funny Car points standings by advancing to the final quad in Las Vegas two weeks ago, feeling good about this weekend in his 11,000-horsepower PEAK BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS at one of his favorite stops on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour.

“Bruton Smith built the Bellagio of dragstrips and it’s always an honor to go back to zMAX,” Force said. “I love racing in Charlotte. It’s a great stadium and you always want to perform well there for the fans. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, and the guys have built a fast hot rod and we’re ready to keep improving after putting together some solid runs in Vegas. I’m excited to compete for another win for everyone who keeps me out here each week doing what I love.”

Last year’s winners at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals included Mike Salinas (Top Fuel), Force (Funny Car) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) and this weekend’s race will again be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. It is the fifth of 21 races during the 2023 NHRA season and Force has enjoyed plenty of success at zMAX Dragway.

Along with the back-to-back wins, Force owns the track records at zMAX Dragway, going 3.850-seconds at 335.07 mph at last year’s race en route to the victory. The four-wide format provides a different challenge, but Force has adapted well to it over the years, even against a top-tier field in the Funny Car ranks.

He made a big move in Las Vegas, finishing third in the final quad and making amends for back-to-back first-round losses in Phoenix and Pomona. Now, Force is ready to build on his most recent performance and bring home a big result in Charlotte against a loaded Funny Car category that includes points leader Matt Hagan, who has…