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.
