Monday afternoon at the U.S. Nationals was both a great and bad day for John Force.

It was great because his daughter, Ashley Force Hood drove her Castrol Shelby Ford to victory. It was bad because Force was baited into a battle of words with Tony Pedregon after losing to Robert Hight in the semi-finals.

There is nothing anyone can do to take away the glory of his daughter's victory. However, the wound inflicted by the accusations of taking a dive by Tony Pedregon and others, was salted today when the NHRA fined Force $10,000 for pushing an official.

Monday afternoon at the U.S. Nationals was both a great and bad day for John Force.

It was great because his daughter, Ashley Force Hood drove her Castrol Shelby Ford to victory. It was bad because Force was baited into a battle of words with Tony Pedregon after losing to Robert Hight in the semi-finals.

There is nothing anyone can do to take away the glory of his daughter's victory. However, the wound inflicted by the accusations of taking a dive by Tony Pedregon and others, was salted today when the NHRA fined Force $10,000 for pushing an official.

Just as he did Monday, the 14-time Funny Car Champion is taking his lumps and moving on.

"I was told today by Graham Light (NHRA Vice-President, Competition) that I was being fined $10,000 because, during my confrontation with Tony Pedregon, I touched one of the NHRA officials,” said Force. “I saw the video, I understand the rule that I broke and I will pay the fine. But I would like to say that I would never, ever knowingly touch an NHRA official or anyone else who didn't attack me first. I will apologize but I want to make it clear that at the time I was grabbed from my blind side, I had no idea who it was. I simply reacted by shoving back. I did it, but I certainly didn't do it on purpose."

A review of the video supports Force's explanation. The official did come into the picture from Force's blind side. Why the official picked Force to restrain versus Pedregon is something only the official could explain. In fact, Force was restrained at times by several different officials. Why any of those officials picked Force over Pedregon is a mystery.

Mystery or not, it doesn't matter. Force has viewed the tape, understands the action he took is worthy of a fine and he'll pay it before the NHRA descends on zMAX Dragway for the NHRA Carolina Nationals in one week.
 

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