courtesy of NHRA.com. I added those in bold.

John Force confirmed Monday night that 2003 NHRA POWERade points champion Tony Pedregon has been released from his contract with John Force Racing, effective immediately.

Although Pedregon's contract originally was to have run through Dec. 31, 2003, Force agreed to an early termination so that his one-time protoge could pursue other options in time to prepare for the 2004 season.

"Tony's been a great teammate," Force said following the POWERade awards ceremonies at the Kodak Theatre. "We wish him the best except, of course, when he pulls alongside one of our Fords.

"I don't know exactly what he's doing but I know it's always been his dream to race with his brother Cruz and I know better than anyone else how important it is to follow your dream."

Pedregon, driver the last eight years of the Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang, secured the team's 11th straight NHRA Funny Car Championship by winning a career high eight times during the 2003 season. His 27 career victories rank fourth on the all-time Funny Car list behind only Force (109), Don Prudhomme (35) and Kenny Bernstein (30).

John Medlen, who shared each of those victories, will continue to serve as crew chief for a Syntec team that closed the season by recording two of the three quickest quarter mile times in Funny Car drag racing history – and 4.722 seconds.

"We haven't made any decisions yet (on a replacement driver for Pedregon or on a driver for the third Mustang)," Force said. "We've talked to a lot of people but we really were not in a position to do anything until Tony's situation was settled. Now we can move forward. cough, mike laskey is willing

"I feel about Tony like he was one of my kids. We've had eight years together and I've seen him grow up. I have a lot of mixed emotions about seeing him go. I would have liked for him to stay and the door's still open for him but, at the same time, I'm proud that we were able to put him in a position, in a really tough economy, where he could go out and find his own deal."

Pedregon's departure from drag racing's most successful team, one that has won 142 events and 13 championships in the last 14 seasons, will provide a once-in-a-career opportunity for whomever winds up in the seat.

"Our primary goal always is to win the championship for Castrol, Ford, Mac Tools, All-Pro/Bumper-to-Bumper, Auto Value, all the rest of our sponsors, and, of course, John Force Racing," said the team owner, "but if we can develop some young drivers and young mechanics in the process, well, that's pretty good, too."

Force, who suffered through his worst season since 1989, winning just three times in the GTX High Mileage Mustang, already has committed himself to winning back the title in 2004.

"As soon as my hands heal, I'm going to get on a program, lose some weight and go after the championship," Force said. "We got behind so far at the start (of the 2003 season) that we were never in it, but we'll be ready for the new season. We've got a year of running this new combination behind us and we'll do plenty of testing before Pomona (and the season-opening K&N Filters Winternationals in February)."

An 11-time Auto Racing All-America selection, Force owns the sport's overall records for victories, victories in a single season (13 in 1996), series championships and consecutive championships (10). He now has won three or more events for 14 consecutive seasons

 

nice press release. makes me wonder what REALLY happend!

 

Cruz Pedregon, Tonys brother also left the K&N funny car, I think those 2 are doing something together, but just my guess.

 

Grant Downing looks like he's willing to make a switch to the big blockers



Grant Downing
Sun, 9 Nov 2003, 01:17 AM
Grant Downing ran a nice 4.995 at 305.36, but that left him in the = number 19 qualifying spot.

 

Whatever happened as to why Tony was racing for john? i didnt hear what happend just saw the transition take place and didnt hear reasoning ?

 

It was not Cruz that left Jim Dunn Racing, it was Frank. It is rumored that Tony & Cruz are paring up with MAJOR backing from Quaker State to run a 2 car funny car team in '04. Quaker State wants to start an "oil war" just like the "beer war" in Top Fuel with Miller Lite & Budweiser. Gary Densham (driver of John's 3rd car) will not be back next year either. He is again starting his own FC team.

 

Tony had said they were teaming up in the last powerade interview, also no shocker they left John's team, John even mentioned something to that effect in his interview.

Greg

 

Yup, it was one of those "we know it is going to happen but we have to wait for the official word" deals...

 

Some people in the know have said that it was not as amicable as the press release sounds.

Apparently Tony's behavior post race after recent events really had Force pissed off (something about mentioning next year's sponsors already instead of his current sponsors - didn't see the TV coverage myself). Its a shame if its true as Tony would be nowhere without Force.

C_A_T

 

Rumor has it that all three of the brothers are going to be on the team. it's going to be John Forcing racing's 3 cars vs. Pedregon racing's 3 cars!!!

 

I'll take Force and Coil. Those boys may act all countrified and simple, but that's a sharp team over there and Force will be on a mission.

C_A_T

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by C_A_T &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'll take Force and Coil. Those boys may act all countrified and simple, but that's a sharp team over there and Force will be on a mission.

C_A_T</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with you sir.

-thomas

 

If that is true, I am sure Force will be on a mission next year. I really want to try and make it to an nhra event next year. Seeing cars run that fast has to be really exciting.

 

not only is it exciting, its insane. make sure to take ear muffs

 

John is going to be insane next season. I have been in aw of him for years..man that guy cuts good lights! I have heard the same thing about the brothers doing something to together, I am sure they will be a force to be reckoned with (no pun intended)..I am sure that John is up to the challenge. From what I hear next season is going to be a great one

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedworks &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not only is it exciting, its insane. make sure to take ear muffs </TD></TR></TABLE>

Ear muffs what for i used to stand in the garage as a kid when my dad was working and tuning his super gas car (Chevy powerd AMC Javlien) and loved it then we started going to races and whatnot and i didn't use earmuffs trying to be tuff now i don't hear anything and can stand right by a top fuel car and not car i hate being deaf.

It is a very fun going to an NHRA race lots of fans and everyone has a good time.

I did hear in the last interview where Tony clinched the championship that he will be leaving and i have also heard things about Tony, Cruz, and Frank teaming up but didn't hear anything about any sponors we will see in months to come

 

all you guys seem to have forgotten about the schumacher cars. Bazemore and Scelzi have there guns drawn and im sure theyll be ready.

 

I didn't forget about Whit Bazemore (sp?) he did a hell of a job peddeling that car down the track in the finals agianst pedregron and he is looking for some revenge for next year you can gaurentee that he wants the big wally.

 

dont forget that Scelzi holds the mph record right now, so they just need some good testing so we can see some .60 passes next year.

 

NHRA Finals Coverage:
"Also seen in the Snake's pit over the weekend were representatives of a major Japanese car manufacturer who are already players in F1 and soon will be entering the fray in NASCAR Craftsman trucks. They might be looking at the Sport Compact series with Snake Racing participation. " This is not the first time I heard that Snake Racing was looking to get into sport compact racing...

 

Youngblood did the paint schemes for Tony's new deal so I knew about the QuakerState deal for a long time but was sworn to secretcy. I think the key to their success is who they get for a crew chief. Force won't let any of his guys go.

 

yeah, I'm looking for a crew chief too. I've got it narrowed down to Coil, Dick Lahaie(sp),and Allen Johnson. Guys if youre reading this, the stromboli's are free on race nite. It's tough trying to get all this vw power to the ground haha.

 

While I was at SEMA, a few of us Sport Compact guys were walking up to the NHRA booth when what did I see???? I saw Don Prudhomme and Jim Skelly rubbing elbows and sharing a laugh about something.....Jim and Don said a few more words to each other, then Don Prudhomme took off before I could get his autograph! Coincidence??? Maybe.

 

I will work for the 'snake' anyday!!