Courtney
Force is friendly and personable. When I suggested this
shot she happily obliged.
While
at the 2016 PRI Show in Indianapolis in December, we were
invited to John Force Racing's shop in Brownsburg, IN
for a press event announcing the new sponsorship of Courtney
Force's funny car by Advance Auto Parts. I've made no
secret here that I am a huge John Force Racing fan, so
this was really special.
I
had the chance to speak one-on one with John for a few
minutes. I was telling him about a fun video that I produced
a few years ago when he was a guest at the PRI Opening
Breakfast in Orlando. I told him that I took his best
quotes and sound bites from the Breakfast and edited into
a "John Force In Under 5 Minutes" video. As
I was speaking to him I realized he was just staring at
me, not reacting. I thought maybe I was annoying him but
I kept describing the video. When I finished, he said
(very sincerely) to send him a copy, that he'd like to
see it. I then realized that he wasn't getting annoyed
at all: he's just so focused. He was listening to every
word I said and waited until I was done so that he wouldn't
miss anything. I learned a lot about him in that conversation.
I also noticed that as I was speaking, not once did he
scan the room to see if there were somebody else who he'd
be better off speaking with. He was 100% there, in the
moment. I am convinced that this is one of the reason
that he has become so successful.
Speaking
of his success, as you're in his shop seeing the cars
and the crew, give thought to the fact that he has created
all of this. Then think about this: John Force has developed
a professional racing operation on the same level as Don
Schumacher and Connie Kalitta, but there's a big difference.
Force did it all on his own, from scratch and with no
other source of income except what he was able to secure
in the form of sponsorship. Connie Kalitta has Kalitta
Air, Don Schumacher has Schumacher Electric. John Force
has John Force Racing, and that's it. That is why he is
so driven. He has fought and clawed his way to the top
all by himself.
|
|
John
Force Racing sent shuttle buses to pick us up at
the convention center. |
Here
we are arriving at his shop. |
|
|
John
himself personally greeted each one of us as we
entered the building and thanked us for coming.
JFR also had a full spread of continental breakfast
items and coffee spread out on huge tables, manned
by the JFR culinary crew. |
The
newly-wrapped funny car was on display. |
|
|
John
giving a short talk about the new collaboration
with Advance Auto Parts. |
Next
up was Courtney, who always exhibits poise and grace. |
 |
 |
| Team
photos... |
...and
team selfie videos! |
 |
 |
| Courtney
and team getting the star treatment. |
As
soon as the press conference is over the crew will
be back at work, getting ready for the 2017 season. |
This
article is part of our Dragtime News On Location coverage
of The 2016 PRI Show, which can be seen in its entirety
here.
