The National Hot Rod Association returns to the track this weekend after a hiatus of more than four months due to the new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), but its biggest draw for stars and fans: the 16-time champion of Funny Car, John Force, along with his entire organization will not compete.
The deadline for the entry list for this weekend was Monday afternoon. John Force Racing, including Force, the team’s patriarch and the most winning driver in NHRA history, as well as teammates Robert Hight, Brittany Force and Austin Prock, will not participate in the event this Saturday and Sunday at Lucas Oil. Raceway in the suburbs of Indianapolis.
NBC Sports contacted John Force Racing, but neither Force nor the organization had any comment on the situation.
The NHRA released a statement to NBC Sports: “The John Force Racing team is not registered for the E3 Spark Plus NHRA Nationals this weekend in Indianapolis. We look forward to his return in the future. “
JFR has two bases of operations: its west coast headquarters in Yorba Linda, California, outside Los Angeles, as well as its midwest branch in Brownsburg, Indiana, which coincidentally is less than 3 miles from Lucas Oil. Raceway.
Still, the organization won’t show up there for this weekend’s race.
It’s unclear whether JFR will return for next week’s second race weekend of the post-coronavirus hiatus, which will also take place in Indianapolis, or whether he can return this season.
Force, at 71, the oldest full-time runner in NHRA’s professional ranks, belongs to an age group considered most at risk of contacting COVID-19. NHRA has also released warnings for this weekend that include the following:
“There is an unavoidable risk of exposure and contact with COVID-19 wherever people are or have been present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to serious illness, disability, and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. Although NHRA has instituted reasonable practices in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19, NHRA cannot guarantee that it will not succumb to the virus. By attending our event, you voluntarily assume all risks related to COVID-19 “.
There are 18 Top Fuel dragsters entered for this weekend, as well as 18 fun cars, 22 Pro Stock cars, and 16 Pro Stock motorcycles.
At Top Fuel, in addition to second place Brittany Force and fourth place Austin Prock, Shawn Reed, tenth place, is the only other driver in the top 10 of the class who did not enter this weekend.
At Funny Car, in addition to third-placed John Force and defending champion and seventh-ranked Robert Hight, only Bob Tasca III of ninth place will not attend. Tasca has been sidelined by COVID-19 and will be replaced by Swedish driver Jonnie Lindberg.
In Pro Stock, all its top 10 ranked riders are entered, while Pro Stock Motorcycle will participate in its first race of the season.
This is a very crucial weekend for NHRA and the Mello Yello Drag Racing series. It is the first race since the end of February, when the season was suspended after just two races due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While fans will be allowed to attend the race, there will be strict health protocols, including temperatures to be taken from all team members and sanctioning body officials, as well as fans, will be required to wear face masks and social distancing. .
Due to those social distancing restrictions, drivers are not expected to be able to interact with fans in the pit areas around team haulers other than to deliver pre-signed hero cards. That unrestricted access has long been one of the hallmarks and key selling points of the sport.
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