Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Force, Garlits contend for top driver of all time

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-4089.

Who is the NHRA's greatest driver of all time? That question will be answered Sunday prior to the season-ending NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway.

Throughout its 50th anniversary season, the NHRA has unveiled its list of the top 50 drivers from its storied history. With Tuesday's announcement of Don Prudhomme as No. 3, only John Force and "Big Daddy" Don Garlits are left to fill out the list.

So who would Force vote for as the top driver in NHRA history?

"How do you vote for something like that?" Force said. "The new school might vote for ... me and the older school might vote for Garlits. I don't know. I'm just really proud to be on that list.

"I don't know the real answer (and) it doesn't really matter to me. Don't misunderstand me -- I'd like to win -- but I look at other people and what they have accomplished and I see why they should win."

When pressed for an answer, Force took the high road.

"You want the God's truth? If you asked me to vote for somebody, I'd vote for Garlits," Force said.

The top 10 NHRA drivers released to date (from No. 10 to No. 3): Dale Armstrong, Joe Amato, Bill Jenkins, Warren Johnson, Kenny Bernstein, Shirley Muldowney, Bob Glidden and Prudhomme.

Prudhomme, who amassed 45 national-event victories and now owns the Top Fuel dragster of Larry Dixon and the Funny Cars of Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr., said he was honored to be named in the top three.

"It's wonderful," Prudhomme said. "You always question whether or not you're doing your job right at the track and how you've handled yourself. It's a high honor to be chosen number three when you consider who you're in there with.

"Apparently, I've done my job fairly well and am recognized in the sport as one who got the job done."

"We knew this season was going to be like (Muhammad) Ali's 'Thrilla in Manila'; it's a heavyweight bout," Bernstein said. "When we throw a punch, Larry Dixon and the (Miller Lite) team answer, and vice versa. We knew it was going to be a real battle with the deck of cards reshuffling when we took the point lead for the first time in Topeka in May. Our Bud team and the blue team are going punch for punch.

"It takes a lot of adrenaline to keep up this pace, and I'm sure everybody's going to be glad when the season is over. Of course, the winning team is going to be the happiest but whatever the outcome, we've put in 110 percent effort and we are very proud of our season."

Despite his cushion in the standings, Bernstein said he doesn't consider his sixth NHRA championship to be locked up.

"Certainly, we'd rather be leading than chasing, and a cushion of any kind is a help," Bernstein said. "But it doesn't mean it's over. For example, earlier this year at Brainerd, Minn., we went into the event with a 76-point lead in the point standings, lost in the first round and came out in second place, eight points behind.

"So it definitely isn't over. We have a lot of work to do at Pomona and we can't stumble."

There are 138 points available this weekend. In order to clinch, Bernstein must advance past the second round of eliminations and avoid oil-down penalties to win the title.

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