One of the hottest topics in drag racing that’s received — not surprisingly — a pretty lengthy shelf-life is that surrounding the John Force Racing empire and their “free agent” status when it comes to potential sponsors following the rapidly-approaching close to the 2014 drag racing season.
It was this time one year ago that Force was dealt the pair of blows that no one saw coming, as both Ford and longtime primary backer Castrol announced they would be leaving the team — and the sport entirely — at the conclusion of their contracts in 2014. This of course came as a shock to the masses as much as it did Force: here’s a 16-time world champion, the undeniable face of NHRA drag racing, and by far it’s most mainstream name, out looking for a sponsor in order to keep he and his daughter, Brittany, on the race track. Not to mention, when you think of Castrol, you think of John Force, and vice versa — they go together like peanut butter and jelly.
In the months that have have followed, speculation has been ongoing who the Force’s new backer might be — whether the sponsors would be lining up to partner with ‘the champ’ or, if in this economy, it would be a bit more of a challenge, despite his stature. And as we draw closer to the end of this season and the fall months when team’s often announce their future plans, speculation has only increased.
Some internet chatter has suggested a return by the Budweiser brand, although that would be the longest of longshots, as the now Belgian-owned brewing company has shown little interest in motorsports outside of NASCAR (where the demographics demand they be there, interested or not). A more likely scenario is PEAK — a former major sponsor of T.J. Zizzo’s Top Fueler before departing to be as associate sponsor on all of the JFR cars — stepping up to back the team(s) in a primary role. This would go along with Force’s possible tongue-in-cheek comment weeks ago when he was quoted as stating “we had to climb a heck of a mountain” in regards to the signing of a still-secret major backer.
Our sources have told us that at this time, Force only has sponsorship signed and delivered for one of the two cars, and that money would, as long as he has a say in it, go to Brittany’s dragster. That bit is unconfirmed, but if true, would indicate the sponsor search isn’t an easy thing no matter who you are.
So we’ll turn to you, our readers, to hear your thoughts on who might enter the equation (or perhaps already be signed) to sponsor Force in the years to come? And at that, which body manufacturer he will run after Ford packs it up later this year? Force in a Dodge…perhaps a Toyota? What do you think?
Photos courtesy NHRA/National Dragster