“Diesel Louie" Force held the trophy given to him by his brother, John, Funny Car winner at the NAPA Night Under Fire. Bill Bader, Jr., left, president of Summit Motorsports Park, presented the trophy.

In a storybook finish, John Force won the Funny Car title at the 32nd annual NAPA Night Under Fire presented by Amalie Motor Oil, driving a replica of his first race car from 1973, the Night Stalker.

Force took the win against Cruz Pedregon in the final round, 4.250, 283.07 to 5.062, 147.68. Pedregon lost traction, and Force drove past.

The 2009 edition of the Night Stalker Funny Car was unveiled to the public during the pre-race ceremony and raced only at Night Under Fire. It will be retired forever. Force’s brother, “Diesel Louie" Force, his original crew chief, assisted in the unveiling. Addressing the capacity crowd, Louie referred to the annual Night Under Fire as the "big kahuna" of drag races, adding, “We’ve been to races all over, but it doesn’t get any better than right here in Norwalk, Ohio.”

After the race, Bill Bader Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park, presented John Force the NAPA Night Under Fire Trophy at the starting line surrounded by fans. John Force promptly  gave the trophy to his brother, thanking him for helping get his start in drag racing. Louie thanked his brother and said, “You know, we’ve come a long way.”