NHRA ready to test repaved Firebird

NHRA drivers - including John Force - will begin to test the limits of a new 700-foot concrete launch pad during the National Time Trials today through Sunday at Firebird International Raceway.

Force, a 14-time Funny Car champion, plans to be back in his Castrol Ford Mustang for the first time since suffering multiple foot, knee, hand and wrist injuries in a September accident. Force first must show NHRA officials that he can get out of his car quickly in the event of another incident.

Five-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher calls the fresh starting line surface "a gift."

"A Top Fuel car leaves with so much power early on that the clutch system will try to lock up around 600...
Read Michael Knight's full story in the Arizona Republic