The result pushes him back into the points lead at the wheel of the Castrol GTX Start Up Ford Mustang. The 13-time series champion got a free ride to his 119th NHRA tour victory when final round opponent Frank Pedregon was forced to abort his run because of a fuel pump malfunction.

Even though unopposed, Force posted the quickest time of the day in the final round at 4.797 seconds.

Only the No. 7 qualifier, Force beat Tommy Johnson Jr. in round one, Tim Wilkerson in round two and Tony Bartone in the semis to reach the final round for the 187th time in his 30-year career.

“You win with heart,” Force said. “There’s a young guy inside this old body and I found him today. I found the fountain of youth. I know my time’s running out. I’ve got five or six years good years left, but they’re wearing me down. I’m looking at Eric (Medlen) and Robert (Hight) and (daughters) Brittany and Courtney and, especially, my daughter Ashley, to keep this thing rolling.

“We made magic today, but next week it can be turned right back around. I’m no miracle worker. Next week I could go out there and lose in the first round (like he’s done nine times this season) and Scelzi could be right back in the points lead.”

Force attributed the victory, his first since May 29th, to a change made by co-crew chiefs Austin Coil and Bernie Fedderly and to a note written to him by Ashley.

“My car was junk this weekend,” the 12-time Auto Racing All-American said. “It only made one run and then all of sudden, Coil found his magic again. This morning we got together and I said, ‘what’re you doing?’ and he said, ‘the new stuff we’re trying is not working’ so we’re going back to what we know.”

As to the note from is daughter, Force said: “It rejuvenated me and all of a sudden, it wasn’t about winning the championship. To be honest, I didn’t think about (the championship) all day. I was just happy. You know, I’ve got a great team and I just love to drive my race car.”