When Robert Hight beat John Force in the semifinals of the 55th annual U.S. Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park it vaulted Hight, over Matt Hagan and Cruz Pedregon, into the Countdown to 1 as the 10th place points finisher.
Hight’s victory also set off a firestorm between Tony Pedregon and Force because Hight’s win against his father-in-law and boss, knocked Cruz, Tony’s brother and defending NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car world champion, out of the Countdown. Force beat Cruz Pedregon in the second round.
Following Hight’s win, Force and Pedregon were shown getting into a verbal confrontation at the end of the track.
“He got in my face and I think he was trying to intimidate me, but I stand by what I say,” said Pedregon, who is leading the points chase. “I’m just a competitor out here and I’m trying to make a living. This is an emotional business that we’re in,” said Pedregon. “There are some ups and downs and there’s some adrenaline that takes place. Now, the bottom line is if I lay down for Cruz in Brainerd, he’s in the top 10. I race. I stand behind what really this sport is about. I made a comment and John wanted to know why I didn’t say anything to him. What good is that going to do me? That’s not going to accomplish anything. John knows what he does. John knows those decisions he makes. I don’t believe that everyone is that naive. I simply call it the way that I see it. I only say this, that it’s a shame that this sport that’s built on competition, I know that it has evolved into a business, but to me it’s still about the competition.”