Why Is Gary Densham Leaving John Force Racing?
Written by David Lamm · October 26, 2004
Gary Densham is one of the most likable guys in drag racing. Densham defies the misnomer that nice guys finish last. After toiling with shoestring budgets and inferior equipment for years, Densham was approached in 2001 by John Force to drive a third Funny Car. Since joining Force, Densham has won eight races including the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals this season. So after all his success, why is Densham leaving John Force Racing to run his own team again?
Dragracecentral.com: Densham Moving on to Next NHRA Career Challenge
Densham has been involved in drag racing for over 35 years. The former auto shop teacher from Bellflower, Calif. started drag racing in Southern California in the 1960’s. Densham even pursued his love for speed in Australia where his friendship with John Force began. It was only a matter of time after joining Force’s team that the partnership would translate into a win. It paid off his first year with Force and Densham final earned that elusive NHRA win in Memphis. Densham has gone on to win seven more since his first victory and even claimed $100,000 in the Skoal Showdown this season. Before joining John Force Racing, Densham reached the final round six times in 19 years and never was able to get that first win. Now Densham will leave John Force Racing at the end of the 2004 season to run a team of his own. Doesn’t Densham remember trying to find funding and struggling to qualify without a high dollar budget? It wasn’t that long ago that Densham wasn’t considered a major threat to win anything. How can four years of success wash away memories of fighting to qualify and being ecstatic to advance out of the first round? You would think that after a lifetime of drag racing he would want to make things easier on himself, not harder.
There are three reasons why this might be happening. The first would be that Force is not renewing Densham’s contract for next year. Force has made it no secret that he intends to bring his son-in-law, Robert Height, into the fold to drive a Funny Car. Force wanted to bring on Height last year but Height was not ready to make the jump into a fuel Funny Car. Densham agreed to stay and help mentor Eric Medlen for one year. If this development is truly because Force will not bring Densham back, why not retire? Trying to build your own team and gain sponsorship is a tough road. Why not retire and still be involved in the sport of drag racing by concentrating on his son, Steven, and his burgeoning drag racing career?
The second reason why Densham might be doing this is to quiet some of his critics. Maybe he is tired of hearing how he never won a race before joining John Force. This might be Gary’s way of proving he can be competitive and can win races without the help of John Force. I am sure the whispers are getting louder and louder questioning if Densham could have won eight races without driving one of Force’s cars. It is a big risk but one Densham is willing to take.
The third reason Densham might be pursuing his own ownership deal is that drag racing is in his blood and he still wants to compete. All racers are competitors and once you get the itch for speed you need to scratch it. Densham has been doing this a long time and I would hate for him to struggle after enjoying success over the past four years. I’d compare it to Willie Mays stumbling around in the outfield after he was clearly too old to play. The same struggles Jerry Rice is facing now on the football field might be in Densham’s future. No need to taint your legacy with DNQs and first round losses.
Densham might get a great sponsor and have great success next year. I sincerely hope that is the case. It is hard to leave John Force Racing to run your own program and still maintain the same level of success. Ask Tony Pedregon about being a team owner and driver. Pedregon left Force after winning the Funny Car championship in 2003 to run his own team. He brought on a great crew, a good crew chief and has big money sponsorship from Quaker State. Pedregon’s results this year? He is currently ninth in the Funny Car point standings and his best race was a single runner-up finish at Phoenix. Best of luck to Gary Densham next season. I hope this is the right decision.
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Dear John Force,
I just wanted to let you know that you have a major huge fan in idaho falls, idaho. and i know one of your crew members and his name is jason and he is from idaho falls. you and your girls are so awsome, and i love to watch you race, some day i hope to meet you, that would be the highlight of my life, thanxs for listening.
much luv ur number one fan sheri walton
Dear John Force,
I am a real fan of drag racing because of you. Unlike nascar drivers you always willing to sign autographs even though I know it has to be a distraction sometimes. Everytime you come to Columbus I get an autograph. When you win it just makes my day. You’re a good father and person, keep up the good work. I guess I will have to come to Indianapolis to see you now since they’re dropping the Columbus race. I wish they wouldn’t. Good luck and God bless you.