In the world of drag racing, few names resonate as powerfully as John Force. The 16-time Funny Car world champion has left an indelible mark on the sport, and now, a new book aims to capture the personal experiences of those who raced against him. Racing John Force: Stories from the Racers Who Knew Drag Racing’s Greatest Champion set for release in 2027, is the brainchild of Elon Werner, a motorsports PR professional and former John Force Racing Media Services Director.
Werner’s book is a culmination of over 50 first-person accounts from NHRA drivers and significant personalities, recounting their first time racing against Force. The inspiration for the project came from Werner’s experience reading Facing Ali by Stephen Brunt and a conversation with Funny Car driver Dave Richards following his first race with Force at the inaugural NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire, in 2013. Werner realized that the tapestry of drivers’ experiences racing Force spanned a complete spectrum of emotions.
The Evolution of a Legend
The book delves into the various stages of Force’s career, from his early days as a truck driver from California to his rise as a drag racing superstar. Personal stories from drivers such as Kenny Bernstein, Don Prudhomme, Whit Bazemore, Ashley Force Hood, Courtney Force, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Cruz Pedregon, Gary Scelzi, Robert Hight, Austin Prock, Frank Hawley, Jim Dunn, Al Segrini, Jack Beckman, Gary Densham, Dean Skuza, KC Spurlock, Mike Neff, Billy Meyer, Del Worsham, and Mike Dunn fill the pages. Additionally, Werner spoke with Top Fuel competitors Bob Vandergriff Jr. and Doug Kalitta, who battled Force during the infamous Funny Car versus Top Fuel 1999 Winston No Bull Showdown.
Force’s longtime crew chief Austin Coil, wife Laurie Force, legendary Orange County starter Larry Sutton, and track operators John Bandimere Jr. and Bill Bader Jr. also share their personal accounts of Force’s journey to worldwide popularity. The dramatic and sometimes hilarious stories are supplemented with amazing photography from award-winning photographer Richard Shute and Auto Imagery, providing never-before-published photographs of Force’s significant achievements.
A Multifaceted Perspective
Werner’s unique insight and access to NHRA drivers give the book an unvarnished and personal look that has not been revealed before. The interviews reveal how Force’s impact evolved with each generation. Veterans who raced the young California drag racing dreamer remember a different competitor than those who faced him during his championship dynasty, yet the emotional thread remains remarkably consistent.
Some interviews reopened competitive wounds, while others uncovered stories Werner had never heard despite spending decades around the sport. For instance, Vandergriff Jr. still harbors some frustration about his race against Force in the No Bull Showdown. Whit Bazemore vividly reconstructed every detail of his first meeting with Force in Brainerd, Minn., becoming increasingly emotional as the memories returned. Mike Dunn reflected on Force’s relentless passion, while Jim Dunn described already looking ahead to the second round whenever Force appeared on the ladder.
The Journey to Publication
The book is scheduled for release in 2027, coinciding with what many in the sport are calling the Year of Force. Plans also include a companion podcast featuring the audio recordings of all the interviews, delivering the emotional experience of hearing unfiltered Force stories straight from the people who knew him best. The book will highlight each interviewee and how they fit into the incredible universe of drivers, personalities, and track operators who interacted with John Force over his 50-year career.
When necessary, statistics, historical notes, and backstory will be added to the introductions, but the stories will be 100 percent their personal recollections. A publisher and release date will be announced before the end of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series 2026 season.
