"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather, skidding in
broadside, thoroughly worn out and loudly proclaiming,`wow, what a
ride!'"
Although the author probably didn't have John Force specifically in
mind when he penned those words, there's no doubt that it accurately
describes the 59-year-old's career as a professional race car driver.
For 32 spectacular NHRA seasons, through Force's eyes, fans from
Australia to Anaheim have lived a vicarious, 300 mile-an-hour life
punctuated by explosions, fires, crashes and, ultimately, success.
That's why, whenever Force comes to town, as he does for this week's
29th annual Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals at Atlanta
Dragway, he is, at the very least, the sentimental Funny Car favorite.