NHRA News: Auto Club and Force ink multi-year deal; Densham to return as driver (1/13/2004)

Auto Club and Force ink multi-year deal; Densham to return as driver

Contributed by Dave Densmore
1/13/2004

"With Jimmy Prock tuning the car, anything's possible."
– Gary Densham

Twelve-time NHRA champion John Force has confirmed that he has signed a long-term agreement with the Automobile Club of Southern California that will put veteran Gary Densham back in the cockpit of one of the John Force Racing Ford Mustangs for a fourth season. Overall, the terms of the contract between Force and the Auto Club extends through the 2007 NHRA POWERade season

The popular and likable Densham will be re-united with crew chief Jimmy Prock and the experienced duo will race together for one more year, after which time Densham hopes to once again field his own race team.

"I'm glad to have Gary back," Force said. "We're looking forward to another great year for the Auto Club team and all three of my cars."

Densham, who was scheduled to leave John Force Racing at the end of the 2003 season, returns in large part to provide continuity in the wake of Tony Pedregon's unexpected departure from the team after eight seasons at the wheel of the Castrol Syntec Ford.

Gary Densham and the Automobile Club of Southern California Ford Mustang will be back in 2004.
Racers Edge Photography

Although he'll drive the entire 23-race POWERade Drag Racing Series for John Force Racing and the Automobile Club of Southern California, Densham acknowledged that throughout the year he actively will be seeking the sponsorship necessary to field his own car in 2005.

"John and I have been friends for nearly 30 years," Densham said, "but he has long-term goals for his team and I have some of my own. I believe I have a few good years left as a driver, but then I would like to move on to become car owner and crew chief for my son Steven. I'd like to give him a chance to drive."

The younger Densham, 21, is studying mechanical engineering at California Polytechnic University in Pomona, Calif. A former NHRA Jr. Dragster champion, he is licensed in Top Alcohol Funny Car but has not yet raced competitively.

"Unfortunately, the cost of running a Funny Car has become so great that a young person has little or no chance of getting involved unless he is born into wealth or works his way up the ladder with an existing team," Densham said. "That's how Steven is going to have to do it and I hope to have that team in place by next season.

"John and I share two main goals. One is winning another championship for Auto Club, Ford, and Castrol and the other is providing opportunities for second-generation racers like Steven, John's daughter Ashley, and others.

"Besides, staying with John for one more year means I can continue to do my school program with Auto Club (which includes more than 60 appearances each season at high schools, primarily in Southern California) and show these kids that there are a lot of opportunities out there for them in the technical field."

A longtime privateer, Densham has raced to six wins in his first three years with John Force Racing.
Racers Edge Photography

A former auto shop teacher at Gahr High School in Cerritos, Calif., the 57-year-old Densham won two races each of the last three years in the Auto Club Mustang. Before joining John Force Racing in 2001, he had successfully campaigned his own Funny Cars for 29 years.

Last year he posted the fastest speed ever attained by a Ford racecar when he was clocked at 327.27 mph at the wheel of the blue-and-white Mustang prepared by Prock.

"I was going to form my own team in 2004," Densham said, "but when Tony left, John asked me to consider staying for one more year to help bring home another championship for Castrol and the Auto Club.

"Maybe I'll get another opportunity to set the national record we just missed last year (with quarter mile times of 4.723 and 4.728 seconds)," he said. "Maybe we'll even be able to get the speed record back (from Gary Scelzi). With Jimmy Prock tuning the car, anything's possible."

The Auto Club Mustang again will be part of a three-car team that will include Fords driven by Force, the 12-time NHRA Funny Car champion, and a driver to be named. The new agreement calls for the Auto Club logo to be more prominent on other Fords, thus reflecting the company's long-term commitment to the team that has won 11 straight NHRA championships and 142 tour events.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automobile testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's website at www.aaa-calif.com.

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