John Force is the most recognizable driver in the National Hot Rod Association. A 12-time Funny Car champion who earned the 111th victory of his career a month ago, Force can't walk through the pits without a mob following his every move.

That scene will no doubt be replayed this weekend during the Pontiac Excitement Nationals at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio -- about a two-hour drive on Interstate 70 from Pittsburgh and the closest stop the tour makes to Western Pennsylvania.

But when the usual throng of Pittsburghers arrives, they'll note a significant change to Force's three-car operation. Gone is Tony Pedregon, who last year became the first driver since 1992 to wrest the Funny Car title from Force. Pedregon, who beat Force in the final round at the Hebron drag strip in 2003, believed the timing was right to start his own team.

Force didn't venture far to fill the empty seat. He turned to Eric Medlen, a crew member for eight years and the son of Force Racing crew chief John Medlen. In his rookie season, Medlen, 30, has qualified for each event. In fact, in the series' previous event, Medlen reached the final round for the first time.

"There's a lot of pressure," said Medlen, who is fourth in points. "Everybody puts it on you, but John and [crew chief] Austin [Coil] and especially my dad take it off. They say it doesn't matter. We've already been a success because we've qualified at every race. We went rounds. The car is going to run. My dad takes care of it. He's got a great group of guys this year. We have awesome sponsors who have basically said, we're willing to take a chance here. I don't know if I would have, but I think it's paying off now."

By hiring Medlen, who had never made a Funny Car pass until July 2003, Force took a huge gamble in a sport where sponsors can be fickle but are crucial to success.

"I'm excited for Medlen, the way he handles the crowds, the way he handles the media and the way that he is learning this race car fast," Force said. "He's adapted a lot faster than I thought. I think the eight years that he put here, knowing the technology, knowing the pressure by watching me and Tony and [Gary] Densham ... he's starting to handle the pressure and going rounds. I think he's going to be fine."

In Top Fuel, the NHRA's other nitro-fueled class, Larry Dixon is aiming for his fourth consecutive win at National Trail while Don Lampus, a Fox Chapel native and former rookie of the year, is competing in his first event this season.

Burton at Nemacolin

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Ward Burton will hold a sporting clay shoot today at the Shooting Academy at Nemacolin Woodlands to help raise funds for his wildlife foundation. He will be joined by his brother, Jeff Burton, and drivers Kyle Petty, Casey Mears and Greg Biffle. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The public can attend by purchasing a $100 guest pass that will allow them in at 1 p.m. and give them a chance to seek autographs and to participate in a silent auction.

Lugnuts

The BRP Modified Tour will race tomorrow at Lernerville Speedway along with the regular divisions. Brian Swartzlander, one of the region's top modified drivers, has 97 career victories, including three in BRP-sanctioned events. According to Walt Wimer, one of the area's most knowledgeable racing historians, only four other modified drivers since 1968 have 100 victories: Lou Blaney (341), Blackie Watt (144), Ed Lynch Sr. (113) and Bob Wearing Sr. (107).

Davey Johnson took the checkered flag in the late model feature Saturday at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, but was disqualified for using a non-approved tire, giving second-place finisher Dave Wade his third victory of the season.

Motordrome Speedway has a regular show set for tomorrow night. The track in Smithton has had 10 scheduled race nights this season.

Ryan Hemphill, an Apollo native, earned his third ARCA Re/Max Series victory Saturday at Kansas Speedway. ... Cranberry native Travis Geisler makes his fourth start in the NASCAR Busch Series Saturday at Nashville Superspeedway.