Nitro Dogs Racing

Ashley is fourth in points and her dad eighth, and they’ll be joined by fifth-place Cruz Pedregon, local favorite and 2007 Night Under Fire runner-up Jim Head, and Dan Wilkerson, son of Tim and fifth in Top Alcohol Funny Car in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in NHRA Division 3.

An annual feature during opening ceremonies of the Night Under Fire is when John Force unveils a new car prepared just for the race. This year, Force will unveil the Christmas Car with Christmas-themed graphics. The car will be retired permanently after the race. Limited-edition diecast cars that are exact reproductions of Force’s real car are available in two 1:24 scale editions. A collector-grade version is limited to only 1,500 pieces, and a limited-edition color chrome version is limited to 300 pieces, which are hand-numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity. The limited-edition color chrome car also comes with an autographed artist proof of the rendering, signed by Force and track president Bill Bader Jr.

The annual race has special meaning to Ashley Force, driver of the Castrol GTX/Auto Club Ford Mustang Funny Car. “I’m excited to be returning to the Night Under Fire in Norwalk as the Baders always put on a great show not only for the fans, but for the drivers and teams as well. I have many great memories and love the fireworks finale and the track officials in tuxedos and can’t wait for the event!

“When learning to drive a Funny Car, I actually tested at this event in 2006 during the day runs and made my first lap against another Funny Car. It was against Eric Medlen, and I was so nervous, I two-stepped the throttle! He beat me, of course, but the fans thought it was great!”

The race, billed as the “world’s largest single-day drag race,” is expected to draw more than 35,000 fans this year and is one of