I live about 80 miles North of Eureka, and had heard from various sources about John's ties with Eureka and Orick and Trinidad, and Redwood Valley, but to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, makes the rumors and stuff true. Hillary Will is from up here, as well, her family still lives in Fortuna.
I've admired Force for years. Never met him and doubt I ever will but he has a direction in life and hasn't wavered. Some say he's cocky. But it ain't cocky if you can back it up. And that he has done. He's also man enough to admit when he screws up. Long may he continue.
I remember hearing him tell that story on TV once. Like him or not he tells that story from the heart. That is really what the holidays are all about.
John is a gregarious larger than life character who is decidedly brash at times and pretty well versed at family friendly trash talking that irritates some people. The vast minority of successful racers I have met, and I have met many over the years, are soft spoken most have large egos which kinda has to be to do what they do. It is part of the show and as often said...it ain't bragging if you can do it. I recall when Force won his first race then later on his his first championship. Both times he made the point that he ran TF/FC for so long without winning that he thought he would never win and he still refers to himself as an old truck driver who is lucky to win anything. What we see on TV and what you may see when Force is in his pit is not who John Force is. This beautiful childhood recollection is a true snapshot of the man John is.
This is a great story. I had no idea JF came from such humble beginnings, but I think that is what built the real character seen underneath his "on track" persona. Sure he comes off brash, but you can see he's a good guy underneath by the way he treats people. I believe his upbringing taught him some valuable lessons in life about what is really important and what is not so important. I too know the sad feeling of not getting anything for Christmas, but I also know my family loves me, and a hug and kiss means more to me than anything else. Merry Christmas to all! May you get plenty of hugs and kisses from your loved ones!
John Force is the "American Dream" he came from humble means and made good , all along not forgetting where he came from. He is loud and sometimes brash but he is grounded not a limp handshake yes man! He told that story out of love of his Mother , Father , and siblings we could all learn a little from that simple heartfelt story.Yes , I shed some tears over that because it reminded me that family is what makes Christmas , Christmas. Give a hug to the ones you love and remember the ones no longer with us. Rob.
I have said it before on the HAMB but the cream always rises to the top. What a great story about a real life hero to so many. Thank you for posting this Christmas story. When you look at the difficulties of others you realize your problems are so great. Merry Christmas to all.
I was a Force fan until he "throw" that race at Indy. After that I lost respect for him. I like to see him get beat now.
Great story, the sad thing is that there are today famlies like the Forces's. Merry Christmas to all.
I'd like to share my little John Force story. In 1987 myself and about a dozen of my best racing buddies were in Indy for the U.S. Nationals. After the races we stopped at our favorite restaurant for supper, and were having a great time as usual, when John Force and his entire crew came in and sat at the table next to us. He ended up buying us several pitchers of beer, having his photographer take pictures of our whole group with him, and sending over a cake for one of our groups birthday. He is the real deal.
Great story! A man who has made the American Dream come true, but still remembers where he came from. I wish I could bottle up some of that energy that John puts into everything he does.....talk about an energy drink! Great story for this time of year for us all to reflect back to where we came from.....
smart ass, yes. prick? i dunno, but he is a cool guy with a good heart espically for needy kids at Christmas.
i watched his reality show and gained respect for him when he admitted he wasnt a good father or husband but recognised he had done wrong and is trying to make it up anybody that calls his racecar an (old hotrod) is cool in my book
The Jalopy Journal
