Hofmann: Force Cheated Last Year

Funny car driver John Force has heard the rumors that he cheats. It’s the only way, opponents say, he’s been able to be so dominant.

So in explaining his stumble at the start of this season, foes are saying it’s because he’s not able to cheat anymore. Nobody’s saying it more than chief rival Al Hofmann.

Hofmann said that Force “had a device on the car” last season that he’s not running this year. “Word got out they’d (NHRA inspectors) be looking for it and then it was gone,” Hofmann said.

Hofmann said he and other drivers “feel we got ripped off for the world championship last season.”

“I feel sorry that Al would make a statement like that,” Force said. “I spent five years learning how to win; maybe it’s (the cheating rumors) a compliment.”