NHRA fines John Force after altercation at U.S. Nationals
Thursday, Sep. 10, 2009
The National Hot Rod Association has fined John Force $10,000 after the Funny Car team owner and driver was involved in a physical confrontation with an NHRA official during the U.S. Nationals on Monday.
Videotape from the U.S. Nationals - drag racing's top event - showed Force making physical contact with the official at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis during a confrontation with Funny Car rival Tony Pedregon.
Pedregon had accused Force of throwing a race, one against teammate Robert Hight, which would have unfairly helped Hight qualify for the Countdown, the NHRA's playoffs. Hight got the 10th and final position, causing Cruz Pedregon, Tony Pedregon's brother, to miss out.
"To have a guy call me a name and a cheat, like he thinks he knows, and say it in front of cameras and everybody, you've got no right," Force said, proclaiming his innocence. "You can go to court over that stuff."
The penalty, which can be appealed, has to be paid before Force can return to competition.
After a week off, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series visits Concord, N.C., the weekend of Sept. 17-20 for the Carolinas Nationals.
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