Courtney Force Archives – Horsepower & Heels

Courtney Force focused for Mile High

July 20, 2018 // by Horsepower & Heels

An already dominating Funny Car season has Advanced Auto Parts driver Courtney Force focused for Mile High action this weekend at the 39th Annual Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals. Force and her Advance Auto Parts team have scored eight semifinal finishes in the first thirteen races of the season, with a career best four wins and eight No. 1 qualifiers. The current NHRA Mello Yello points leader for the last seven races has only qualified outside of the top four one time in 2018.

“I am excited to head back to Denver to kick off the Western Swing. We were No. 1 qualifier the last two years at Bandimere Speedway,” said Force. “This Advance Auto Parts team had an early exit last season but we have also raced to the finals in Denver. That is the kind of success we are looking for with this team. We want to extend our points lead and start the Western Swing on the right foot. We are really excited to be on the West Coast and looking forward to a great weekend.”

Force has two runner-up finishes in her career at Bandimere Speedway, including a side-by-side race in 2016 against her father John Force who took his win in a photo finish victory. Her rookie season landed her in the final, but funny car veteran, Jack Beckman denied her first career victory. Force would pick up that win a few weeks later in Seattle.

“It is always fun to race at Denver. This track is tricky with the altitude. It creates a challenge for all the teams and it makes it exciting for the fans. It really does challenge everyone on the team to be at their best. I think this will be a great weekend for our Advance Auto Parts team,” said Force.

Courtney’s father, John Force, is the only funny car driver to ever sweep all three races on the famed and often grueling Western Swing of the tour. Denver’s Mile-High event marks stop one of the Western swing. Courtney Force focused for Mile High competition is one of the favorites to join her father as a driver capable of winning three races in a row. With previous win experience in the Sonoma and Seattle venues to her credit, a strong showing this weekend could continue to add her name to the record books.

“We are just going to take each one of these races one at a time,” said Force. “You can’t sweep the Western Swing if you don’t win in Denver this year. We have an amazing crew led by Dan Hood and Brian Corradi. I know they will give me a great race car. We stumbled a little in Epping but that is behind us and now we are focused on running like we did last season on the Mountain.”

Last year, Force left Denver with the track elapsed time and speed records for Bandimere Speedway with a blistering 3.889 second, 328.30 mph run. That kind of performance at mile-high, horsepower robbing altitude was something no one thought feasible just a few short years ago. But Courtney Force has made a career out of exceeding expectations, and this season she is focused on adding a National Funny Car championship to her list of accomplishments.

The 39th annual Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals begin with qualifying on Friday and Saturday with sessions at 6 and 8 p.m. on both days. Eliminations are set to take place Sunday at 11 a.m.

Courtney Force Nitro Spring Training

February 4, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

COURTNEY FORCE SPRING TRANING — Photo: Auto Imagery

Advance Auto Parts Funny Car driver Courtney Force blistered Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park during the second day of NHRA Drag Racing Nitro Spring training Friday, posting the three-quickest passes of the week – including an incredible run under the current established NHRA Drag Racing Funny Car national record E.T.

Force’s best run in her new Advanced Auto Parts livery-adorned Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car was 3.804 seconds at 333.33 mph, quicker than the current national-record run of 3.822 seconds set last year in Brainerd, Minnesota by Matt Hagan. The pass was not an official record, because Force’s pass came during testing, not a national event and does not comply with required criteria for national records.

“It was a pretty unbelievable run,” Force said. “It’s all thanks to these guys; I’m just the one piloting the car down to the other end. But it was really exciting hearing them come on the radio and be so excited about it. It’s great being out here at Phoenix testing. We’re going to try some new things tomorrow and just see what the car does. So far, we’re definitely happy with it.”

In addition to the 3.804 run, Force made passes of 3.847 seconds at 329.26 mph and 3.847 seconds at 331.28 mph – the three quickest runs of the day in Nitro Spring Training.

“I feel good every run,” Force said. “It’s crazy. You take two months off during the offseason and then you hop back in a car – just smashing on the throttle – it takes some getting used to and time to get back into your routine. When you get a couple months off, it changes things. It’s been a lot of fun getting back in the car and back into the groove of things. I feel like I’ve had to really quickly, as my guys are ready for the season. They’ve really shown that with how the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro has run so far. I feel like I had my hands full on multiple runs, but it’s really great being able to make so many great passes just in testing – the 3.84s and then the 3.80 unofficially. It’s a great feeling. I’m proud of my guys; it’s all because of them.”

Testing continues Saturday, with the final day slated for Sunday.

Female Professional of the Year 2016

January 4, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

The Female Professional of the Year 2016 category was the most hotly contested race in this year’s award program. The category received 34 nominations and 209 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards. This year, two automotive industry professionals battled it out for the top spot, and a late rally determined your Professional of the Year for 2016.

Professional of the Year 2016 – Courtney Lambert

Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the Female Professional of the Year 2016 – motorcycle industry staple, Courtney Lambert!

An always smiling, familiar face in the motorcycle industry, Courtney Lambert stays entrenched in all things two-wheels. Whether you find her traveling the roads avoiding mayhem with Allstate, behind the counter at Kory Souza Originals, or over the airwaves on her very own radio show, she knows only one pace in life, Wide Open. Her busy schedule takes her across the country, to bike weeks and rallies as a Allstate Insurance spokesperson doing stage shows and emceeing national events.

Courtney began hosting her own talk radio show about motorcycles called Wide Open Radio in 2010, and regularly features motorcycle industry talent and icons to the show. Courtney also manages the frontend of Kory Souza Originals, taking care of all the phone calls, billing, foot traffic, marketing, events, product releases and some of the sales for her other half – custom builder, Kory Souza.

Professional of the Year 2016 Runner Up – Jessica Kennedy

Shotgun Shocks Go-To Girl, Jessica Kennedy, is your Professional of the Year 2016 Runner-up for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.

Professional of the Year 2016 Nominees

Erica Enders
Janette Thornley
Sarah Burgess
Leah Pritchett
Heather Carter
Elaine Larsen
Courtney Force
Kayli Barker
Alexis DeJoria
Shannon Giust
Alex Rogeo
Terri Chandler
Dina Parise
Sarah Edwards
Angelle Sampey
Melanie Salemi
Sara Price
Danica Patrick
Ellen Eschenbacher
Mia Tedesco
Lizzy Musi
Christy Miller
Megan Meyer
Valerie Clemens
Aileen Collins-Love
Elisa Coon
Cheryl Hyrn
Ashley Force-Hood
Annie Whiteley
Brittany Force
Annette Bauer

Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016

January 4, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

The Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 category received 28 nominations and 85 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards. These are women who not only excel in their fields, but also serve as ambassadors and help encourage and influence women in automotive and motorsports. This was one of the tightest races in the history of the awards, and at the end, it was a deadlocked decision.

Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 – Shirley Muldowney/Erica Enders

A dead even finish resulted in the first two-way tie for the Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 category winner. Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the 2016 Women of the Year Most Influential category winners – Shirley Muldowney and Erica Enders!

Both of these NHRA Drag Racing ladies have made considerable contributions to the sport. Shirley Muldowney was one of the ground breaking women that helped to usher in female participation to the sport, winning countless races and championships in her time at the highest level of Top Fuel. Erica Enders is the modern day champion, a two-time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion, and one of the most prolific winning women in racing today.

Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 Runner Up – Jessica Kennedy/Courtney Lambert

Where the women of drag racing dead-locked for the top spot, the women of the motorcycle world tied up the runner-up position. Shotgun Shock owner and go-to gal Jessica Kennedy, and Kory Souza Originals and Allstate Motorcycle spokesperson Courtney Lambert tied for the 2016 Horsepower & Heels Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 Runner Up positions.

Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 Nominees

Kayli Barker
Elaine Larsen
Janette Thornley
Cheryl Hryn
Terri Chandler
Sarah Burgess
Leah Pritchett
Courtney Force
Sarah Boyce
Alexis DeJoria
Kate Gundlach
Brittany Force
Shannon Giust
Aileen Collins-Love
Annamarie Strawhand
Sara Price
Marina Anderson
Megan Meyer
Ellen Eschenbacher
Karen Sullivan
Susan Roush
Ariel Biggs

Female Racer of the Year 2016

January 4, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

Female Racer of the Year category received 41 nominations and 112 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards. This category had an early front-runner, with a few solid challengers through out, but was able to hold strong until the close.

Female Racer of the Year 2016 – Janette Thornley

Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the Female Racer of the Year 2016 category – Harley Pro Fuel racer, Janette Thornley.

Last year, she finished in the runner up position, but this year, her fans shot her up to the number one spot. Congratulations to Janette!

Female Racer of the Year 2016 Runner Up – Aileen Collins-Love

Sprint Car racer Aileen Collins-Love was your Female Racer of the Year 2016 Runner-Up for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.

Female Racer of the Year 2016 Nominees

Erica Enders
Melanie Salemi
Kayli Barker
Heather Carter
Leah Pritchett
Elaine Larsen
Nina Gusler
Lilian Cacioppo
Shannon Giust
Alexis DeJoria
Cheryl Hryn
Angelle Sampey
Jessi Combs
Jackie Fricke
Pippa Mann
Courtney Force
Amber Balcaen
Sarah Burgess
Vonnie Mills
Donna Gerstel
Jody Perewitz
Shanna Snyder
Michelle Furr
Mia Tedesco
Sarah Edwards
McKenna Haase
Brittany Force
Danica Patrick
Journee Richardson
Afton Swanson
Sondra Leslie
Sarah Boyce
Yvonne Lucas
Lexi Fruggiero
Laura Landry
Megan Meyer
Lilian Cacioppo
Mali Greenfield

Courtney Force teams with Advance Auto for 2017

December 14, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force teams with Advance Auto for 2017 season, unveils new black and red Advance Auto livery.

John Force Racing and Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, serving both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, announced major primary sponsorship of Courtney Force’s Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for the 2017 season. This multi-year sponsorship will begin with the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opener, the Circle K NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, and cover the winningest female Funny Car driver in NHRA history throughout the season.

“I am thrilled to be driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car starting in 2017. Last season, we made some big strides toward our first championship and I am very confident in my team led by my crew chiefs, Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson, and that next season can be even better. I love the look of this red, yellow and black Camaro and I can’t wait to get it into the winner’s circle,” said Courtney Force.

Last year, Advance Auto Parts made a series of limited appearances onboard John Force’s PEAK Camaro Funny Car at select events, including a trip to the winner’s circle at the NHRA Carolina Nationals to start the 2016 Countdown. The relationship has expanded to encompass Courtney Force’s Funny Car team through this multi-year sponsorship.

“This is a real business-to-business deal for John Force Racing. We expanded our relationship with PEAK at the beginning of last season and we ran the Advance Auto Parts Funny Car a couple times,” said John Force, JFR CEO and 16-time Funny Car champion. “The opportunity came to grow the deal and they were interested in Courtney so it was a perfect match. We are excited to work with Sponsorship Integrated Manager Matt Davis and his team at Advance to help them grow their business across all their stores. I have done shows with Advance Auto Parts in the past and am looking forward to working with them again.”

Advance Auto Parts has been actively involved in motorsports through the NHRA, NASCAR and other motorsports series important to its customers.

“We are proud to be partnering with Courtney Force and the John Force Racing team for the 2017 season and beyond,” said Walter Scott, Chief Marketing Officer for Advance Auto Parts. “After working with John and the team last year through our partnership with PEAK, we got to know Courtney and felt she would be a great ambassador for our company. Our team members and customers love NHRA drag racing and we can’t wait to see the Advance Auto Parts Funny Car on the track in 2017.”

You DO Have to Be Tough to Drag Race

October 12, 2016 // by Scott Huntington

Do you need to be tough to drag race?

When a Top Fuel dragster leaves the line, it’s accelerating more quickly than a fighter jet at takeoff. A good run can see over 8Gs applied to the man or woman at the wheel. The human body often blacks out at 9. The forces and exertions drag racers endure multiple times in a single competition are real and serious. Even with extensive physical training, there’s no avoiding the physical wear involved in the sport.

It’s not just the 10,000 horsepower engine you’re strapped to that places loads on you during a drag race. While you’re not dealing with the face-melting forces of acceleration, you’ve still got to handle the heat coming off of your nitro-fueled monster and reign in whatever lateral forces come through the steering wheel.

Preparing to Win

In the days of Big Daddy Don Garlits and slingshot-style front-engine cars, race preparation might have involved a healthy whiff of nitro, a smoke and maybe a beer. These days, racers understand that You DO have to be tough to Drag Race, and that keeping a healthy body will allow them to compete better, more often.

The types of injuries drivers encounter, excluding those that come from a crash, typically involve the substantial forces placed on the touchpoints in the car. This means injuries to the hands, feet, and back and neck can occur on any 300+mph trip down the track.

To counter these occupational hazards, drivers spend an hour or more a day in the gym and commit to a diet you’d expect from a professional athlete. To deal with muscle and joint pain, some racers even use cryotherapy, which is a quick 2-4 minute exposure to negative 200 degree temperature. Brr!

Courtney Force, a professional NHRA driver, says she eats right by having chicken and veggies for lunch and fruit and almonds as a snack. Courtney’s father, John Force, was a 16-time NHRA champion, and now his three daughters are all competitive drag racing drivers.

Progress at Speed

Courtney and her sisters, Ashley and Brittany are helping literally “drive” women in the sport. While women have been involved in racing as far back as the 1950s, they rarely enjoyed success, oftentimes struggling to earn endorsements because team owners saw men as superior drivers.

These days, the Force sisters are proving that a female can withstand the intense physiological effects of racing dragsters just as well as their male counterparts.

Safety Developments

At the same time drivers are learning how to better prepare their bodies for forces few people will ever face in their entire life, engineers are constantly seeking ways to make racing less hazardous for drivers.

Even the best-trained driver can fall victim to a wreck, and while things like high-tech fuel cells and the neck-saving Hans device have unquestionably saved lives, there is always more that can be done. There is even talk that Top Fuel dragsters may adopt bulletproof clear canopies, similar to those used on fighter jets and racing boats.

Any time you strap into a machine capable of reaching triple-digit speeds in a single second, inherent risk is involved. Being a drag racer certainly requires toughness, and the intense regiments modern drivers go through to win are a testament to that. Combined with new technologies, these advances are heralding a new era of the sport that is faster and more competitive than ever.

Courtney Force injured in Seattle

August 8, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Funny Car racer Courtney Force injured in Seattle after a racing incident in the first round of Sunday’s eliminations at Pacific Raceways. Force’s Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car made contact with the left guard wall.

Force exited the vehicle on her own power and was checked by NHRA emergency services personnel before heading to Valley Medical Center in Renton, Wash., where she was evaluated for head, neck, knee, elbow and shoulder injuries.

“I am beat up pretty good. My arm, my shoulder, and my right knee are banged up. I am really thankful that the second I got out of the race car there was already a Safety Safari person right there to help me get down. I couldn’t put any weight on my right knee. I want to say thanks to everyone that was at the track who helped me. I got right to the ER and the doctor checked me out. I am extremely relieved nothing is broken,” said Force.

Doctors released Force from the hospital Sunday evening, but expect her to be very sore following the accident. X-rays of her right knee, left elbow and left shoulder along with a CT scan of her head and cervical spine were negative. The tendon on the knee was intact but there was a contusion from contact with the steering wheel. Force will see a sports orthopedist in Lake Tahoe, Nev., where the family has a summer home for continued evaluation and to make sure there is not a partial tendon tear in the knee.

“I have to thank everyone at Simpson Racing and their Stilo helmet for protecting me. To hit a concrete guard wall and move it two feet and not break any bones is a testament to their equipment and NHRA safety requirements,” said Force.

Force will focus on her rehabilitation with the goal being to race at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota in two weeks.

“I am going to see a physical therapist in Tahoe. Thankfully we have a weekend off. My goal is to get healed up as soon as possible. I want to say sorry to my team to have to witness that. We were planning on making a lot of changes to my car after this race and my dad joked that I gave them a head start,” explained Force. “I definitely feel bad we ruined the body and the chassis. Luckily we have some time and can get the car fixed up and my own body fixed up. I am looking forward to getting back as fast as I can. I want to thank all the fans for all their support.”

Force, the No. 3 qualifier, was racing Jeff Diehl in the first round when her Traxxas Funny Car smoked the tires. Force attempted to pedal her 10,000 hp race car before it made hard contact with the guard wall.

“I am really bummed out about the run. I am disappointed because I really wanted that win. I pedaled the car repeatedly hoping to just run him down but I got a little too aggressive. I think I hit the wall right where Ashley crashed a few years ago. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with this track since I have won here twice and have had two incidents but happy to be safe,” joked Force.

Courtney Force finishes second in Denver

July 25, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force finishes second in Denver at the 37th Annual NHRA Mopar Mile High Nationals. Force qualified No. 1 for the event, and advanced to her 16th career final round, before falling to her father, John Force in a close race. She leaves the event in the No. 2 position in NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car point standings.

Bandimere Dragway proved to be a successful event for Courtney Force and her Traxxas Funny Car team. The 28 year-old picked up eight key bonus points throughout qualifying, grabbing the No. 1 qualified position with a 3.917 second ET at 318.39 mph. The pole was her tenth career No. 1 start, and Courtney has converted those No. 1 qualified positions into wins in four of those attempts.

“We had a great weekend out here starting off the Western Swing at the Mile High NHRA Nationals in Denver. This is one of the most challenging race tracks and I’m so proud of my team because I definitely think that we turned things around in a huge way coming to this track. We did quite a bit better than we have in the past and it definitely goes to show the type of team that I have working on my car. My crew chiefs, Danny Hood and Ronnie Thompson, they’ve given me a consistent race car round by round,” said Force.

In the opening round of eliminations, the youngest racer in the John Force Racing stable was paired up with Jim Campbell, the first time the two racers had met in competition. Force easily dismissed Campbell, running a 3.972 second, 315.42 mph pass that was good for low of the round and lane choice as she advanced to the quarterfinals.

Her round 2 match-up with Tommy Johnson Jr. marked their fourth meeting this season. Both drivers left with nearly identical reaction times, but Force was able to pull away with an early lead. The Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car raced straight down the groove to get the second round win with a 4.016 at 315.56 mph to Johnson Jr.’s 4.032 ET at 315.71 mph. It was an extremely close race with a margin of victory at .0154 seconds, approximately seven feet. Force is now 7-4 against Johnson Jr. in eliminations.

Unfortunately, she lost out on lane choice for the third round of eliminations against teammate and JFR President, Robert Hight. The teammates have met four times this season, with Courtney showing a match-up record of 7-10 against Hight. But a stellar performance by Force leading with an .052 second reaction time and race day low ET of 3.937 seconds at 322.04 mph took the immediate win after Hight red-lighted and fouled out on the starting line. She would take lane choice into the finals against her father, 16-time champion John Force.

The final round would prove to be a close one. John would take a slight advantage at the starting line, which would prove to be all that he needed by the finish. He would take the hole shot win, running 3.965 seconds at 319.45 mph to Courtney’s quicker, but losing 3.963 at 314.75 mph.

“I’m proud of my dad for getting that win. We were right there. He was right out my window the whole way down. I actually thought we had him. We had a little bit of trouble with the belt on the car. It kind of shredded up right at the finish line and he went by me for the win. He’s done a great job all weekend in his Realtree PEAK Camaro and he definitely snuck up on me with that camo, so great job to him and his team, but our Traxxas team is going to be ready for Sonoma,” said Force.

Courtney Force finishes second in Denver, not only for the event, but also in NHRA Mello Yello championship points. The team heads to the next stop of the western swing, the NHRA Toyota Sonoma Nationals, in Sonoma, CA on July 29-31.

“I’m so proud of my guys. We moved up to second in the points in this Traxxas Chevy Camaro. We were one of the fastest on the mountain for the Fastest Name in Radio Control cars. I’m really proud of all they did this weekend. I’m bummed we weren’t able to go home with the win against my dad in the final round, but excited that it was on the FOX network. I think that’s huge for our sport.”

Semifinal finish in Atlanta for Force

May 17, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Semifinal finish for Courtney Force in Atlanta — Photo: Gary Nastase, JFR

NHRA Funny Car driver, Courtney Force, ended a six-round consecutive win streak with a semifinal finish in Atlanta at the 36th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.

It was a great race day for our team. We didn’t go home with the win here in Atlanta but definitely made some really strong passes out here this weekend in the heat and in cooler conditions. Those kind of runs really excite this Traxxas team. We have a good car and we had some tough competitors today,” said Force.

Force, the 2012 rookie of the year, qualified in the No. 3 position for the second race in-a-row, entering eliminations with the Funny Car class points lead. This was the highest starting spot for the Traxxas Chevy Camaro team at Atlanta Dragway.

Force lined up beside her 32^nd different Funny Car opponent, Jeff Diehl, in the opening round. She posted a 3.915 ET at 327.74 mph. She took the win, but this unfortunately paired her against teammate Robert Hight in the second round. She advanced over Hight with a 3.950 ET at 327.35 mph to his tire-smoking 8.205 ET at 88.55 mph.

Semifinal finish in Atlanta for Courtney Force — Photo: Gary Nastase, JFR

Force matched up against Matt Hagan in the semifinals without lane choice. Her Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car smoked the tires and Hagan advanced.

Force is leaving Atlanta with the points lead for the second race in-a-row.

“We laid down some pretty solid numbers but then lost lane choice going into the semifinals. We hit a bump in the left lane and spun the tires against Hagan. We were a little worried about it but we tried to put the same set-up we had for qualifying,” said Force. “We are going to just have to try and figure that lane out next year. We are going to move on to the next race in Topeka. We are just excited we are going home with the points lead and we learned a lot this weekend. I am really proud of how this Traxxas Chevy went down the track every run except for one this weekend.”

The winningest female Funny Car driver was tied with veteran Tim Wilkerson for the lead in the Funny Car point standings coming into the weekend, but was able to take the lead via bonus points on Friday. Force picked up a total of seven bonus points throughout qualifying for being the quickest of Q1, third-quickest of Q2, and quickest of Q3.

The 27-year-old driver went to the final round at Atlanta Dragway in 2014 after qualifying No. 8. It was her ninth career final round in Funny Car.