Press Release from NHRA:

Ford Racing has announced an extension of its partnership with John Force Racing that will keep the Castrol and Auto Club Force Mustangs wearing the Ford oval through the 2014 NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car season. The successful Ford-Force partnership has set the standard for a manufacturer-team relationship in drag racing and has crossed over from just the competition side to include engine development, chassis development, and safety programs for drag racing.

As part of the extension, Ford and Force have agreed that their joint development programs will be available to other Ford teams in the sport, with JFR acting as a supplier to other team operations. The new One Ford approach focuses on all Ford-sponsored teams having the same availability to the technology and development, thus making all Ford teams more competitive.

This One Ford approach will mirror Ford’s NASCAR program, in which Roush Fenway Racing jointly develops and supplies chassis for teams such as Richard Petty Motorsports, and all Ford NASCAR teams run engines supplied by Roush Yates Engines.

“We’re very happy to extend our relationship with John Force Racing through to the 2014 season,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsport. “John and his team are proven winners, both on and off the track. Their on-track record speaks for itself, and off the track, they have been an important part of our promotional efforts in the sport.

“I’m pleased that John and his team have agreed that going forward, we’ll take a One Ford approach to the sport, as we have done successfully elsewhere. This will help ensure that all our Ford teams have the best chance to be successful.”

“This extension means a lot to all of us at John Force Racing,” said Force. “We’ve had a great relationship with Ford since we switched over in 1997, winning lots of races and championships in that time. But, more importantly, we found a willing partner that wanted to work with us to help take the sport forward, in terms of engine and chassis development, and also in terms of safety for all competitors.

“This new One Ford approach we are all taking will allow some of the great development work done by Ford and JFR to help more of the Ford teams going forward.”