Force Takes Lead by Single Point Over Capps

John Force used his starting line skills to win two rounds of racing Sunday in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang and move into the POWERade points lead, one point ahead of Ron Capps.

Phil Burkart Jr. had a career day Sunday at the 22nd annual Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, beating last year's POWERade Funny Car Champion and the three contenders for this year's championship en route to his first tour victory since July, 2004.

Among Burkart's victims were Team Castrol Ford drivers John Force and Robert Hight, whom he dispatched in the semifinals and finals, respectively. He earlier drove his Worsham Racing Chevy past the Dodges of Ron Capps and 2005 champion Gary Scelzi.

Although neither got to the winners' circle, Force and Hight both made substantial gains in the race for the $400,000 title.

Force used his starting line skills to beat rookie Jack Beckman in round one and veteran and No. 1 qualifier Tommy Johnson Jr. in round two, earning just enough points to move around Capps.

Even though his series winning streak ended at 11 rounds, Hight closed to within 35 points of the lead at the wheel of the Team Castrol/Auto Club Ford in which he has gone to the semifinals or beyond in each of the last three races.

"Now we've got two Fords fighting for the championship against Cappsie," Force said of a points race that this week moves to Richmond, Va., for the Torco Race Fuels Nationals. "It's gonna come right down to the last race, just like last year."

Force used a .075-.109 reaction time advantage to make his 4.795 second time a winner against Beckman's slightly quicker 4.783 in round one. He then used a .083-.117 edge to get around Johnson, who was quicker down the track, 4.762 to Force's 4.785.