"(My Mustang) has been running good early (in this run). We know if we can get it to run on eight
cylinders it would put up good numbers. This Ford is thumping. I always had confidence in my team
and this Mustang." - Mike Neff
Over the past three NHRA national events Mike Neff and the Ford Drive One Mustang team have been
moving in and out of the Full Throttle points top ten. As the team exited Seattle Neff and his Ford
Drive One Mustang team was sitting in 9th place and poised to move up as the Full Throttle Drag
Racing Series heads to Infineon Raceway for the 22nd annual FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals this
weekend.
During the Seattle race Neff's Mustang grabbed the No. 2 qualifying position but was less than
dominant in qualifying until the last session. Still on Saturday night Neff was pleased with the
team's performance and he knew they were moving in the right direction.
"We have been trying to run good every run we just kept putting cylinders out. We knew that if it
would just run on all eight it would run pretty good. That is exactly what happened. We made enough
changes to get it to run on all eight cylinders and it put up a good run. We are excited about
that. We really needed something good to carry over into (Sunday)," said Neff.
As the team rolls into Sonoma they know that they could be battling hot temperatures. Luckily the
superior race surface at Infineon Raceway will give all the teams a decent shot at putting up good
numbers. Neff knows that teams have to be able to overcome the elements at this stretch of the
Western Swing.
"The hot conditions are the trickiest. I would always rather make a good run in the heat. That is
what you are most likely to be racing in. John Medlen and the boys have been working hard the past
two races and all season long to make this Ford Drive One Mustang one of the top funny cars out
there. I think we are right around the corner from finding the consistency we need," said Neff.
Mike Neff and teammate Robert Hight are locked into one of the tightest points battles in recent
Countdown to One history. Neff is currently in 9th place with 683 points, rookie Matt Hagan in is
10th place with 669, reigning funny car champion Cruz Pedregon is in 11th place with 662 and Hight
is in 12th place with 626 points. With each round win worth 20 points fortunes can change on a
Sunday afternoon in the blink of an eye.
"Qualifying is important and going rounds on Sunday is important. In Seattle we made up some ground
by qualifying number two and going to the second round. Having the guys around us go out in the
first round was a plus. We need to go rounds in Sonoma and hopefully help Robert out as well. Our
goal all season has been to get all four John Force Racing Mustangs into the Countdown to One and
that is what we are going to work towards," concluded Neff.
The Driver
Mike Neff, 42, driver of the Ford Drive One Mustang, is entering his second season with high
expectations. He is currently in 9th place Full Throttle point standings. This season he has
reached one final (Phoenix) and was No. 1 qualifier in Norwalk, Ohio. In his rookie year he reached
three finals, was No. 1 qualifier twice and qualified for the Countdown to 1 championship race.
Neff took over the driving duties for the late Eric Medlen, who succumbed to injuries sustained in
a testing accident in March of 2007.
Did you know.
- When Neff does capture his first win for John Force Racing he will become the seventh
different drivers to have won Funny Car races on the NHRA tour - John Force, Tony Pedregon, Gary
Densham, Robert Hight Ashley Force and the late Eric Medlen.
- A strong 2008 rookie season for Neff allowed him to continue another John Force Racing
tradition becoming the third John Force Racing, Inc., driver in four years to win the Auto Club's
Road to the Future Award as the NHRA Rookie of the Year following Robert Hight (2005) and Ashley
Force (2007).
- Neff and his three teammates (John Force, Ashley Force Hood and Robert Hight) will be
cruising to Cabo San Lucas for New Year's Eve as part of the John Force Racing Fan Cruise III
sponsored by AAA. Fans can get more information by calling 1-888-874-7222.
Television:
Saturday, July 25, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 6 p.m.
(ET).
Sunday, July 26, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, July 26, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise 3 hours of final round eliminations at 9 p.m.
(ET).
Team info at http://www.johnforceracing.com
Follow John Force Racing at http://www.twitter.com/jfr_racing
Follow John Force RaceStation store at http://www.twitter.com/JFRaceStation
Follow Courtney Force at http://www.twitter.com/courtneyforce
