73-year-old drag racing legend John Force has won three times at WWTR

September 29, 2022, St. Louis – The world’s quickest and fastest race cars are arriving at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, for this weekend’s NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals. The series’ premier classes are Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car, powered by nitromethane-burning  12,000-horsepower engines that rocket the cars from zero to more than 330 miles per hour in less than four seconds.

Arguably, 16-time Funny Car champion and drag racing legend John Force is the most popular and well-known driver on the circuit.

After finding success last weekend, John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS team remain fourth in the Camping World Drag Racing Series points heading into the NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway. They are looking to carry over their momentum and improve their position at the halfway marker of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship.

Force and the PEAK Camaro have kept themselves in the championship conversation thanks to three final-round appearances that included a win at the Charlotte Four-Wide event, eight semifinal appearances and two No. 1 qualifiers that both came at zMAX Dragway in North Carolina. Force is currently on a three-race streak of reaching the semis.

“These PEAK boys, Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisi leading them, they’ve been working hard. They’ve put in the work and figured some things out. It’s starting to show. We’re keeping ourselves in the game and right now that’s what matters,” Force said. “At about the halfway point for this Countdown heading into St. Louis and we need to take advantage of how well we’re performing. We have to get the job done on race day and we’ll get there, it’ll happen.”

Force has won three times at St. Louis (1999, 2002, 2013) and is due for another victory after not reaching the final at World Wide Technology Raceway in his last seven starts at the facility. In 2021, as the No. 10 qualifier, he advanced to the semifinals. Force has also been the No. 1 qualifier at the Midwest Nationals in 2010, 2014 and 2019.

2022 NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS

Every ticket is a pit pass and fans are encouraged to meet their favorite drivers. Attractions include the manufacturers midway, interactive displays and a classic car show. Spectator gates will open each day at 8 a.m.

Some of the world’s biggest names in professional drag racing will compete this weekend, including:

  • Five-time WWTR winner and three-time NHRA champion Antron Brown (Top Fuel Dragster).
  • Three-time WWTR Top Fuel Dragster winner Steve Torrence, a four-time NHRA champion.
  • Legendary Funny Car pilot John Force, a 16-time champion with three WWTR wins.
  • Five-time WWTR Pro Stock winner Erica Enders (four NHRA crowns).
  • Two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Ron Capps (four WWTR final-round wins).

Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com.  Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult in select sections. Although they are admitted free, each child must have a ticket. (Please call the ticket office for details.)

Friday, September 30

7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.

8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.

8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Sportsman qualifying.

4 p.m. – Pro Mods.

6 p.m. – Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.

7 p.m. – Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.

Fireworks immediately after the final pair of Top Fuel cars, followed by a concert by country music artist Tim Dugger.

 

Saturday, October 1

7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.

8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.

8 a.m. – Sportsman eliminations.

12:30 p.m. – Pro Mod qualifying.

1:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.

2:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.

3:45 p.m. – Pro Mods.

4:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.

5:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.

Sportsman eliminations continue until approximately 8 p.m.

 

Sunday, October 2

7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.

8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.

9:30 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies.

10:30 a.m. – First round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.

12:45 p.m. – Second round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.

2:15 p.m. – Third round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.

3:30 p.m. – Final round of eliminations.

4 p.m. – Victory lane celebration.

 

 

About World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the only track in the world to host the premier series of NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA . Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 600 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, 2.0-mile road course, the Gateway Kartplex (a state-of-the-art karting facility), and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and owner Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association.

Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Related Posts