Driving Force-reality TV show
By GREG ZYLA

Q: I love the new John Force reality TV show on the A&E Network called "Driving Force." Has John ever acted before in TV or movies? -P.L., Arizona

A: Movies, no, television yes. However, it took 51 years for John to make his second TV appearance! Force played "Grantz" on "Captain Midnight" in 1955 (Season One, Episode 20, "The Human Bomb"). Captain Midnight was a serial TV show that featured the daring war hero, Midnight, who led a mysterious government group known as the Secret Squadron. When the show went into syndication, Midnight's name became Jet Jackson, and the show's title was changed.

Force appeared on Dennis Miller's talk show as himself in 2004, and also did a voice-over for the popular "King of the Hill" animated series, "Dale Be Not Proud," also in 2004. We don't count those as TV roles, though.

"Driving Force" is a pretty neat show and gives a good insight into what Force is like off the track. John and his brother came from very humble beginnings, living in a small trailer with their mom and dad in Bell Gardens, Calif.

John, now 57, is featured on A&E's reality show with wife Laurie and his three daughters: Ashley, Courtney and Brittany, who are all drag racers. His oldest daughter, Adria Force Hight, from a previous marriage, has managed the finances for John Force Racing since she was 20 years old.**

Q: Greg, there is a lot of talk about Toyota's NASCAR Nextel Cup teams for 2007. Are you surprised with the drivers Bill Davis has named for his team? -Albert P., New Port Richey, Fla.

A: Albert, most racing fans pretty much expected the current crop of drivers. Most recently, Bill Davis Racing announced that Jeremy Mayfield will drive his No. 36 Toyota Camry full time in 2007. Also, I'm glad Davis gave Dave Blaney a full-time ride, as Dave is his current driver for the No. 22 Caterpillar car, which has been underperforming all year. The underperforming stems from Davis fielding Dodge Chargers on his own, as he's not part of the factory Dodge effort following litigation when Dodge found out Davis was assisting Toyota in the truck series several years ago.

"We're happy to have Dave back in the Caterpillar car next year, and we're just as excited that Jeremy has decided to join our team," said Davis. "Both of these men are very talented and capable drivers who are veterans of the sport and yet still hungry to win. Both Jeremy and Dave are extremely knowledgeable and will play an important part in taking our race team to the next level."

As for the other drivers, Mike Waltrip and Dale Jarrett are all set at Waltrip Racing, with sponsors NAPA and UPS, respectively, funding the two major Waltrip teams. Michael also has a third part-time team effort with Domino's Pizza and Burger King sharing ad space, with a driver to be named later (perhaps Bill Elliott?).

Brian Vickers is Team Red Bull's top driver, and look for the team to name another driver soon for the second car. Also, remember that there will be many races where more Toyotas compete, with Germain Racing already scheduled for several races with driver Todd Bodine next year on a part-time basis. Don't be surprised to see

other Toyota truck stars like Mike Skinner, Johnny Benson and Darrell Waltrip's driver David Reutimann compete in some Cup races, too. It will be an interesting year, for sure.

Greg Zyla welcomes reader questions on anything racing related. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send an e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2006 King Features Synd., Inc.