4/30/07

What an entertaining race we saw in Atlanta!

And not only because Robert won for the second time in a row (as did Brandon Bernstein in Top Fuel and Greg Anderson in Pro Stock, while Karen Stoffer won her second race of the year in Pro Stock Motorcycle) but because John and Ashley raced in the most talked about match up of the 2007 season when they faced each other in Round 1.

Ashley prevailed when John smoked the tires, but following the round, John told me something I never knew. It was the first time in his drag racing career he had ever lost to a woman! And for that loss to come at the hands of his daughter certainly gave it some special meaning. In fact, both Ashley and John were interviewed by Gary Gerould on ESPN2 after they climbed out of their Mustangs and John got choked up when he was asked about what had just happened.

John is a big softy.

During the weekend, I worked with Ashley and Robert on their media skills—something I’ve been doing quite a bit of with a bunch of drivers in the NHRA this season. It’s a program I designed and I’m thoroughly enjoying the chance to help many of the professional drivers on the tour to become more aware of their on-camera composure and how better to express themselves in any media situation.

Ashley is a natural and working with her is very easy. She understands the whole concept of storytelling, playing to the TV audience, and keeping her energy level in an appropriate range.  Robert has really been paying attention to the tips and suggestions I’ve been sharing with him and already I’m seeing him do a much better job of thinking ahead as to what he wants to say in his interviews and organizing his thoughts when his adrenaline is still pumping after a run.

What was really noticeable this weekend was the absence of the A&E camera crew shooting footage for “Driving Force”. They have shot an enormous amount of footage since the schedule began and now they’ll be involved in editing the shows back at A&E’s designated production facilities as the 2007 TV season marches forward. The show continues to rack up great ratings and it’s quite possible the series will be renewed for a third season, although nothing has been decided as of yet.

Without the A&E gang shadowing the team around all weekend, the atmosphere and ambience in the JFR pits was much less frantic than it’s been since February. The A&E production crew has been extremely aware of the challenges the teams at JFR are dealing with at the national events and have somehow developed a method of shooting the many elements of “Driving Force” without interfering with the teams’ race operation.

But on several occasions over the weekend, I noticed John actually taking some time to relax and regroup every now and then—something I rarely saw when the A&E cameras were cranking. Now, John has to begin winning some rounds and getting his Castrol Mustang into the winner’s circle with some regularity. Seeing his name in the No. 20 spot in the POWERade standings isn’t a familiar sight for long-time John Force fans.

Not very much time to catch our breath before the next race. We travel to Gateway International Raceway outside St. Louis next weekend for the 11th O’Reilly Midwest Nationals. After the race, you’ll find more from “In the Groove” right here at www.JohnForceRacing.com.

Until then, buckle up and drive safely!