MORRISON, Colo. -- John Force and Tony Schumacher raced to their first victories of the season Sunday in the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
The 67-year-old Force beat daughter Courtney in the Funny Car final between Chevy Camaros. He finished in 3.965 seconds at 319.45 mph to her performance of 3.963 at 314.75. It was his seventh victory at the track and the record-extending 144th of his career. He hadn't won since June 2015 in New Hampshire.
"I didn't have a monkey on my back, it was a gorilla," said Force, the 16-time season champion who became the oldest driver in NHRA history to win a Funny Car race.