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Force takes a moment to ponder the answer. It's not the typical question
that he handles.
"No. In my opinion, that is probably one of the biggest highs in this
sport," Force says as his head is tussled about. "That has motivated
us for years."
"The two-car teams was the starter of this sport to grow. Everyone
is looking at dragster, Funny Car and Pro Stock. All of a sudden, Funny
Car has a two-car team and they're winning."
In the next breath, he demonstrates his ability to stay on the cutting
edge. He points out new Top Fuel sponsors such as the U.S Army (for
Tony Schumacher) and the Yankees (Mike Dunn) that are going to help
the class, which suffered from short fields in 2000. Those sponsors
represent an area Force believes has unlimited potential and are prime
for tapping.
"Baseball and basketball teams buy advertising just like we do," Force
says by way of explanation. "They have to guarantee their people, their
advertisers, that they will get them some exposure. Once you get that
TV package, you can only get so much and then they have to go to the
next venue.
"WWF went to drag racing and now they're going to start their own football
league (XFL) to buy it. All of a sudden, the guy for the New York Yankees
(George Steinbrenner) says I need to buy more exposure for the Yankees.
I can go buy it on TV or pit it in drag racing and for 50 bucks those
guys can put us up and down that drag strip every week on ESPN.
"Without the ESPN package, they wouldn't have got that. The Gwynns
(Darrell and father Jerry) wouldn't have got that. And you know who
got them that deal? The guy NHRA let go, Chuck Blossom, president at
Matco, went out and got that deal and brought that deal to the Gwynns."
Force has a love-hate relationship with NHRA and its Glendora, Calif.-based
front office. The driver holds founder Wally Parks in reverence, but
can be quick to hold others to the fire for what he considers a poor
decision or injustice. He knows as much about NHRA, if not more, than
any driver or owner.
Force has their ear, and they have Force's. Each side knows that they
need the other to survive. While private may be hot and personal, their
public exchanges are cordial and full of respect. But on given occasions,
Force has been known to tweak Glendora.
Lunch is over and the writer and photographer figure so is the day.
Force has been a gracious host, picking up the lunch tab, answering
many questions and presenting different, even private, perspectives
on the sport. There's more than enough for stories of various kinds.
But there's one more surprise.
"Want to go for a boat ride?" Force asks. "Hell, it's a great day to
go out. I have this little boat. I'll show you my boat house."
Coming in Part 3: We Set Sail on a Three Hour Tour.
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