BP PLEDGES SUPPORT OF FORCE
Fri, 2007-10-05 11:40
BP Lubricants, Inc., whose Castrol GTX® brand is synonymous with drag racing
icon John Force, is providing moral support for its fallen star this week even
though there will be no Castrol GTX Funny Car in the field when the NHRA
POWERade tour moves to Richmond, Va., for the second annual TORCO Racing Fuels
Nationals.
Force, drag racing’s most prolific winner, remains hospitalized at Baylor
University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where he is being treated for
injuries suffered in a Sept. 23 crash at the Texas Motorplex. Although he
suffered a compound fracture of the left ankle, broken toes and fingers, a
dislocated left wrist and a severely lacerated right knee, Force’s prognosis for
complete recovery is excellent.
“We are in complete support of John, his family and the race team during
this very difficult time,” said Lori Anne Gola, assistant sponsorship manager
for BP Lubricants. “John isn’t just someone we sponsor, he’s part of our family
and our only goal is his recovery.”
In addition to Force, who has won 125 races and 14 championships in
Castrol GTX race cars, the GTX brand also sponsors the champion’s 24-year-old
daughter, Ashley, a leading candidate for NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year honors.
However, neither of the Forces will race at Richmond – John because he is
undergoing physical therapy; Ashley because in the aftermath of her father’s
crash, upgrades to her Castrol GTX Ford could not be completed in time for this
week’s race.
Nevertheless, Castrol will retain a major presence at Richmond in the form
of Robert Hight, driver of the Castrol-backed Auto Club of Southern California
Ford and one of the leading contenders in the NHRA’s new Countdown to the
Championship playoff system.
Hight, whose car was first in line for upgrades commissioned by the Team
Castrol crew chiefs after Force’s accident, presently is second in driver points
with only this week’s race remaining before the field is pared to four drivers.
Ironically, Force presently occupies the fourth and final transfer
position.
Castrol, which began its association with Force in 1985, will continue to
support the 14-time Auto Racing All-America selection during a recovery period
that could take up to three months.
Beginning with this week’s race, special banners will be made available at
the Castrol midway display on which fans can pen get well notes to Force. In
addition, Castrol has created a special website for well-wishers that can be
accessed at getwelljohn@bp.com. All e-mail messages
received will be compiled, printed and delivered to Force along with the special
banners.
Categories:
