WHAT'S LEFT TO PROVE?

By winning the event at Las Vegas, Greg Anderson has now won 63 rounds of eliminations in 2003, a record for the most elimination rounds won in a single season in the Pro Stock category. Jeg Coughlin won 62 rounds during the 2000 season. The total rounds Anderson has won is second overall to Funny Car driver John Force, who won 65 elimination rounds in 1996 (19 events). Anderson can establish a record by advancing to the semifinals at the season-finale at Pomona, Calif. He has advanced to at least the semifinals at the last nine consecutive events. [10-31-2003]

FORCE INJURED IN SHOP ACCIDENT;
WILL MISS FINALS

John Force suffered injuries Wednesday night that will preclude him from driving next week in the season-ending Automobile Club of Southern California World Finals at Pomona, Calif.

Force, 54, was moving a crystal trophy he was presented for winning an NHRA Winston Invitational bonus race when it shattered as he set it down. The 109-time tour winner suffered serious injuries to both hands including lacerations that required 40 stitches to close. He was treated at Placentia Linda Hospital Wednesday night and released.

"The doctor said no way I can drive," Force said, "and he doesn't know how long it'll be before I can sign an autograph."

Ironically, this is the worst injury suffered by the 11-time Auto Racing All-America selection in his 30-year racing career and the only one that will cause him to miss an event.

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"I've burned my eyebrows off a couple times," Force said. "Burned my hands a little, crawled out of a lot of fires. The worst thing that happened before was when we had a car we were going to cut up on TV. It was on a moving stage thing and I was doing my act and got hit in the elbow by my own car. I thought I was going to miss a race then, but we got through it."

A determination on whether the team will park the national record-holding Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang for the season finale or compete with another driver won't be made until next week, after Force has an opportunity to discuss the situation with his sponsors and crew chiefs.

Luckily, his mouth wasn't hurt in the incident. (Jeff Burk photo) [10-30-2003]

THE ACE'S OPTIONS

The buzz going around the pits at Vegas was that Ed "Ace" McCulloch is considering an offer from Cruz Pedregon's Advance Auto Parts if a second team materializes. The Ace is currently consulting on Bob Gilbertson's Funny car team and Bob would like to make a deal for him to remain with the team for 2004. [10-30-2003]