Quickly, Force shifts gears. He punches in the radio station number again, figuring he's fighting a three-hour delay and a looming deadline.

"If I don't call the guy today, I'll get back with him tomorrow," Force said. "And if that doesn't work for him, I'll get a time where it will."

Imagine not having time for Force. Imagine Force making time for you. But he has that history.

Force once promised a fledging radio talk show host in Southern California he would appear for a 15-minute segment. But when business commitments on the East Coast made it impossible for him to call in, he sent Pedregon in his stead. He did fulfill the commitment, calling at the precise time while the meeting adjourned for a moment. Both the host and Pedregon were surprised by the unexpected call, further strengthening their own thoughts about Force being a man of his word.

As the boat silently glides past his condo, Force turns reflective.

"You know, we don't spent a lot of time here," he says. "Sometimes, I'm home for just a day, and then off again. It's tough, tough on the guys, tough on all our families.

"You know, sometimes they (crew members) come over and cook outside and have a good time. Not loud or anything like that, but just a good time. The neighbors like my guys."

What's there not to like. The crews know they carry the reputation of their boss on their sleeves. Whatever they do is reflective of that man with the distinctive signature trademark. Force's neighbors don't see John Force Racing employees, they see Force.

"I think we hire quality guys," Force said as he makes another smooth turn and heads for home. "We have a tendency to keep our guys for a long time and that really helps. I think the shortest-term guy we have right now is about two years.

Remembering the job interviewee he had kidded earlier in the day, John said, "I hope that guy didn't think I was seriously asking him about all those guys. Bernie will have him straightened out. But he was the kind of guy who'll fit, single and willing to work. You have to do that."

A gentle breeze seemed to trigger a new thought.

"Still can't get over Kenny at the Finals," Force says. "That was quite a week for that man. I can't imagine what he's going through."

Force is a student of the sport and its competitors. He may not be Kenny Bernstein's best friend, but he knows what it is to be a team owner and have your life on public display. In early November, Bernstein's personal moments became very public.

"He gets rid of his crew chief, and you know that's difficult, and then the hard stuff comes," Force said. "I would have never, ever guessed that Kenny would get married and retire all in a week, with his very close friend sick as he was. Man, that's hard. But we need guys like Bernstein in the game. I need to call him and just say hi."

In a span of days, Bernstein wed his longtime companion Sheryl Johnson and announced son Brandon would take over driving duties in the Top Fuel dragster in two years, if not sooner.

 Copyright 1999-2001, Drag Racing Online and Racing Net Source