Force was at a loss Wednesday for an explanation for the snub. I can't even say. It couldn't be that Force is not ESPN's kind of guy. The fans who flock to Topeka twice a year to catch the NHRA rockets at Heartland Park know that Force is a larger than life character who also is the best in his sport. It is seen as great entertainment rather than great sport.
Force likes winning awards.
When his career is over, he says, the trophies along the wall are all that's left. And the memories, of course. The snub was not a big deal to him personally, but it seemed like another slap to his sport. Live TV is helping. But Force, who has two victories and a 162-point lead over Chuck Etchells in the chase for world championship No. 7, is forging forward.