CONCORD, N.C. — Through his entire career, John Force has known only one setting: full steam ahead.

That’s why it came as little surprise to many of the media members assembled at zMAX Dragway this weekend that Force is working on adding a second nitro-powered Top Fuel dragster to his arsenal of NHRA teams.

The 16-time Funny Car champion said that he wants to have a second dragster team running alongside daughter Brittany’s Monster Energy team, so that notes can be shared between the two cars.

“I want to build another team. I want two dragsters. I just can’t get the money to get there, but I’ve got a deal cooking.”

“If I had the money you’d see it tomorrow … but I’m not yet there, (even though) I’ve been on working on a deal for a year. You need a team car to share stuff (data and otherwise).”

Force spoke candidly on the subject to Race Chaser Online on Saturday morning, adding that a second dragster isn’t just something that he wants to make happen, it’s something that’s “necessary” for the long-term success of JFR’s Top Fuel program.

“We don’t need a fourth Funny Car … if we had the money, we’d be doing that,” Force said with a chuckle. “We need a second dragster, so they can key off of each other and make each other better. That’s the direction we’re headed in, but we’re not quite there yet. When we get there, it’ll definitely make that part of our team better; I can tell you that much.”

After three wins last season, including a Wally from the Four-Wide Nationals, Brittany Force has struggled somewhat to start 2017. She currently sits sixth in points after five races, the same place she finished in points after last year’s Countdown to the Championship.

The fifth-year Top Fuel driver said that from her vantage point, having a teammate to work with would strengthen her own performances and build her as a racer, in addition to streamlining JFR’s Top Fuel program.

“Having a two-car team would definitely make the whole thing run smoother, that’s for sure,” said Brittany Force of the prospect of expansion. “It’s tough being a one-car team, but I don’t think we’re doing a bad job of it, at all. We’re battling it out against some of the toughest teams out there.

“If we had the help, I think we’d be able to push a little further and really go after what we want … but I’m confident in our team and all the folks from Monster (Energy) that help us out. Right now, we’re one car and that’s where it’s at, so we’ll just see what happens in the future.”

In addition to the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, John Force Racing also fields a trio of Funny Cars in the nitro field: for Brittany’s sister Courtney, father John and brother-in-law Robert Hight.

About the Writer

Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.

Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.

The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.

Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com

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