Contrary to popular belief John Force didn’t order the construction of a new Junior Dragster with the 
announcement of new grandson Jacob John Hood.
The 15-time NHRA series champion has longed for a male member of the Force family after fathering four females. Now his longtime wish has been granted.
Force wants it known, if you think just because Jacob John was born a male into this famous drag racing family, he isn’t going to press the kid into drag racing.
“I never do that although people accuse me of doing it,” Force said. “I’m excited to have a grandson. He’s a beautiful baby.”
Contrary to popular belief John Force didn’t order the construction of a new Junior Dragster with the announcement of new grandson Jacob John Hood.
The 15-time NHRA series champion has longed for a male member of the Force family after fathering four females. Now his longtime wish has been granted.
Force wants it known, if you think just because Jacob John was born a male into this famous drag racing family, he isn’t going to press the kid into drag racing.
“I never do that although people accuse me of doing it,” Force said. “I’m excited to have a grandson. He’s a beautiful baby.”
Jacob John was born early Thursday morning and weighed 7 pounds, 13 oz. and was 20.25 inches long. His name was a combination of father Danny Hood’s middle name of Jacob and both grandfathers share the first name of John.
“I think they named him after Danny and his dad, I just happened to be there by accident,” Force said.
Force described daughter and licensed Funny Car driver Ashley Force Hood as a “trooper”.
“She had the baby just a little past midnight and Laurie and I went to the hospital in the morning and walked in the room and Ashley was sitting in the chair with the baby. It didn’t look like she had – had a baby. I thought they laid there for a day or two. Then she told me, ‘Dad, I didn’t even yell.”
Force said Danny confirmed the statement.
“Just like her Momma,” Force explained. “Only thing my wife ever yelled about was for me to get out of there. And, I did.”
Force smiled when he recalled the only person in the family who appeared unhappy the baby was male just happened to be granddaughter Autumn.
“She wanted another girl … said boys are yucky,” Force said. “She’ll learn to love him though, and it won’t be long before she’s out dragging him around the track.”
Force said he hugged Danny and told him “Thank you.”
Thank you for what?
“We didn’t even talk racing,” Force said. “I wanted to thank him for helping to bring a beautiful baby into the world. I didn’t even ask Ashley if she was coming back racing. This is their time. I like a mix of boys and girls.
“In the early days of racing, I always felt like in the old days that you needed a boy to drive one of these cars. Now I’ve seen how good Ashley was and Brittany and Courtney, I’m going to be pretty old when Jacob’s ready to drive.”
It’s a good thing Force isn’t thinking about the kid driving.
