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64-year-old John Force wins NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals for record 135th victory

  • THE ASSOCIATED PRESS  
  • June 17, 2013 - 12:30 am EDT

BRISTOL, Tennessee — John Force ended a 31-event winless streak Sunday in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, beating Cruz Pedregon in the final round.

The 64-year-old Force raced to his record 135th career victory and fourth at Bristol Dragway. He powered his Ford Mustang to 4.148-second run at 305.29 mph, while Pedregon's Toyota Camry shut off approaching the finish.

"If you can't compete you are just mentally out of it," Force said. "This is great to come back here and win. So many fans wanted me to win on Father's Day. It's just a great day for the Force family and to do it on Father's Day is just awesome."

PHOTO: In this photo provided by NHRA, Funny Car driver John Force leaves the starting line during eliminations in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. Force, a 15-time Funny Car world champion, picked up his first win of 2013 and fourth at legendary Bristol Dragway, defeating Cruz Pedregon in the final. Force also knocked off his daughter, Courtney, in the first round of eliminations en route to the victory, which ended a 31-race winless streak and is the 135th of his career. (AP Photo/NHRA Teresa Long)
In this photo provided by NHRA, Funny Car driver John Force leaves the starting line during eliminations in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. Force, a 15-time Funny Car world champion, picked up his first win of 2013 and fourth at legendary Bristol Dragway, defeating Cruz Pedregon in the final. Force also knocked off his daughter, Courtney, in the first round of eliminations en route to the victory, which ended a 31-race winless streak and is the 135th of his career. (AP Photo/NHRA Teresa Long)

Force outran daughter Courtney Force, points leader Matt Hagan and rising star Blake Alexander to advance to the final round.

Steve Torrence won the Top Fuel event, and Rodger Brogdon topped the Pro Stock field.

Torrence raced to his first win of the season and fourth overall, beating top qualifier Spencer Massey with a 3.871 at 320.13. Massey had a 3.894 at 317.19.

Brogdon claimed his first Pro Stock victory, outrunning Erica Enders-Stevens with a 6.745 at 205.38 in a Chevy Camaro. Enders-Stevens had a 6.752 at 205.66.

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PHOTO: In this photo provided by NHRA, Funny Car driver John Force celebrates his victory with daughter and Funny Car driver Courtney Force, Sunday, June 16, 2013, at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. Force, a 15-time Funny Car world champion, picked up his first win of 2013 in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang and fourth at legendary Bristol Dragway, defeating Cruz Pedregon in the final. John Force also knocked off Courtney in the first round of eliminations on Sunday en route to the victory, which ended a 31-race winless streak and is the 135th of his career. (AP Photo/NHRA, Teresa Long)
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