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That's a situation Force has contemplated.

Daughter Ashley, currently a college student while working at the race shop, has gone through the Frank Hawley school. Force has joked that Ashley may replace him in the car when he opts to stand on the sideline.

The thought of family pops into Force's focus.

"It's been tough being away from my family for such a long time," he said, looking well beyond the edge of the lake, as if into another phase of his life. "But I'm still married. My wife's done a good job with the girls. Hell, the smallest one surprised me at the (NHRA awards) ceremony. After I'm done speaking, she says, `I didn't know you were that funny.'

"Imagine that."

Courtney Force is among the latest to discover the many facets of John Force.

John's daughters Adria (left photo) and Ashley.

Soon the boat trip is over, after a pair of attempts to dock. Not bad for a rusty skipper with less than an hour's time on the boat. Force wastes little time getting back on the phone. He calls Kelly to make sure his schedule is clear for the afternoon. He makes a note to call Detroit the next day and once again checks to make sure his tax man will be ready for the 5:30 p.m. appointment.

Before departing, Force has to show off another gadget. In his garage is a three-light tree mounted on the wall opposite the entrance. The green light turns to yellow when his car approaches the end of the garage and red signals he's in safely. A Christmas tree in reverse.

"I can't screw this one up," Force said, flashing a smile.

Seconds after the door closes and he's on the road, Force is on the car phone again. He takes a different route back to the shop, allowing him more time to talk. But instead of going directly to his complex, Force makes a line for spot overlooking the Scovi Ranch area, a parking lot above his 12 acres. It's a magnificent view, and Force has a magnificent view of the future.

"The hotel will go right here," he says, waving his hands at the stakes already in the ground. "If we get that dealership, then the restaurant will go there and the TV studio will be over here.

"You know, there's a need for a TV studio. We could do feeds right from here and I'm sure others would use the studios."