STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – PPG has partnered with the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) John Force Racing team. The team, led by the legendary John Force — one of the most successful racers in the history of drag racing — is a dominant presence in the NHRA with a long list of wins and championships to its credit.
For its funny cars and high-powered dragsters, John Force Racing is using PPG’s Envirobase High Performance line of waterborne products. The team is working with PPG’s well-known in-house master artist Paul Stoll to develop color palettes and one-of-a kind designs for its cars.
"We take great pride in being associated with John Force Racing,” said John Parran, PPG Automotive Refinish, director of marketing, North America. “The team’s consistent performance on the drag strip has been nothing short of extraordinary and its commitment to environmental responsibility through the use of waterborne finishes is equally impressive. We’re proud to partner with winners and are proud to provide them with innovative products and unwavering support.”
John Force Racing is considered to be one of the true dynasties in motor sports with two generations of drivers competing in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The team’s drivers include Force; his daughters Courtney Force, Brittany Force and Ashley Force Hood; Michael Neff and son-in-law Robert Hight. Force has been racing for more than 30 years. Since 1990, his team has won 17 NHRA Funny Car championships with Force personally taking 15 titles and winning more than 1,100 rounds of drag racing competition. He was inducted into the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame in Talladega in 2012.
PPG’s relationship with John Force Racing began four years ago when PPG territory manager Mike Clemons introduced the team to Envirobase High Performance basecoat, and Force decided to convert his paint operations to the waterborne system. Since then, the relationship with PPG has grown. In February, John and Courtney Force spoke at the 2012 PPG Platinum Distributor Conference where they received a warm reception. They, along with Neff and Hight, earlier this year appeared at the PPG booth at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.
“Racing is all about performance and that’s what we focus on,” says Force. “We expect top performance in every aspect of our operations including the paint we use. PPG is quality. Their products perform and they’ve been extremely supportive from the start. That’s why we’re working with them and why we have a solid relationship.”
