Chuck etchells drag racer v2

A great driver and an even better friend are how members of the drag racing community remember former NHRA Funny Car driver Chuck Etchells.

Etchells died on July 6,

Over the years, John Force and Whit Bazemore have been rivals, who were all too often on the opposite end of the spectrum in drag racing issue.

Days after losing a mutual friend, they were clearly on the same page.

"This is a sad moment for me," said Force, who enjoyed a unique relationship with Etchells.

Chuck etchells drag racer v2

"I was close to him and his family. I lost a good friend when I lost him.

"He was a good driver who wouldn't run from a fight; he'd stand up tall to anyone."

Bazemore agreed when he said Etchells was the kind of friend you always wanted to have around.

"He was first and foremost a good friend," added Bazemore.

"As a friend, he was very cool, easy going and always told it like it was. He was a fun-loving guy, who could be a party animal. He never seemed to stress about much."

Force said in a