Courtney Force (1 Viewer)

[DG]

COURTNEY FORCE STEPPING AWAY FROM DRIVING DUTIES​

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YORBA LINDA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2019) — The winningest female Funny Car driver in NHRA history, Courtney Force, a top 10 finisher in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series in six of her seven professional seasons, announced today that she will be climbing out of the driver’s seat of her 11,000 horsepower, 330 mile per hour John Force Racing Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro SS Funny Car.

While her driving duties will be coming to an end, Force looks forward to continuing to stay involved within the sport of NHRA Championship Drag Racing by supporting her teammates as well as maintaining off-track partnerships.

“I will be stepping away from my driving duties, effective immediately. This was a personal choice as I feel I’m ready to see what the next chapter in my life has in store for me, while spending more time with family,” said Force. “I intend to remain involved in the industry I love and continue to work with a few select partners as I go forward in 2019. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to have such a successful career at John Force Racing and the privilege of working with so many incredible people while racing against competitors who pushed me to be a better driver.”

From a very early age, Force dreamed of being a professional Funny Car driver and competing against her dad, team owner and 16-time world champion John Force against whom she was able to forge a 13-16 career record. In 167 pro races, she racked up 12 victories, was runner-up 17 times and reached the semifinals on another 29 occasions. She was the No. 1 qualifier 28 times, 11 times during the 2018 season alone, just two shy of the class record of 13 her dad set in 1996. She had a career best elapsed time of 3.815 seconds and a career best speed of 338.85 mph.

“I first have to thank my dad for encouraging me to live out my dream of being a Funny Car driver while getting to compete against him and learn from the best,” Force said. “I want to thank my family and my husband, Graham, for their support through the highs and lows and to my team for their undeniable will to win and for always keeping me motivated, confident and safe in my race car.

“Thank you to all of my sponsors from the start of my career with Traxxas and Ford to now with Advance Auto Parts, Chevrolet, Auto Club, PEAK, Monster, PPG and Mac Tools,” she continued. “I’m grateful for all of your support both on and off the track and the opportunity I had to represent your brands with pride.

“Last but not least, to my fans: thank you for all of your support throughout my career. I’m excited to see where this next chapter will take me and I hope to see you all at the track soon.”

-30-​

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Media Contact:
Sara Slaughter
Public Relations
Phone: 951-212-9818
Email: [email protected]​

 

[Jer]

Guess the kid theory maybe correct. Only one force female left driving ( think we all know ashley isnt coming back.??

 

[LouF]

Maybe the rumors her being Pregnant may be true.

 

[Just Paul]

Good for her. Stepping away from the drivers seat it not something a lot of drivers get to do on their own terms. I think Courtney has been a great ambassador for the sport, and in my opinion the most fierce competitor of all the Force girls.

 

[Tom Slick]

She sounds like she's not coming back either, however didn't say that she wouldn't.

I just broke the news to my 5 year old daughter whom looks up to Courtney and Brittany. She is bummed out that her favorite driver won't be on the tack anymore, but is excited to continue cheering for John, Robert and Britt.

Thanks for being kind to our daughter and a great roll model Courtney.

 

[qtermile14]

There's two rumors down, only 15 to go.
LOL

 

[turbo ken]

Now what happens to her car/team, does Robert get her team with AAA, and does Jimmy, and Austin get the AAP deal. Remains to be seen!

 

[Tom Slick]

Now what happens to her car/team, does Robert get her team with AAA, and does Jimmy, and Austin get the AAP deal. Remains to be seen!

This could go several ways in my opinion:

1. JFR maybe lacking funds for 3 Funny Cars and a Dragster. So they down size to 2 Funny Cars (John and Robert) and 1 Dragster. The dragster will get the AAP money.
2. JFR maybe lacking funds for 3 Funny Cars and a Dragster. Since AJ, Husen and crew are confirmed to have gone to the Salinas Top Fuel operation, JFR moves Brittany to the AAP Funny Car. We all know that Brittany has her own FC and is licensed. This keeps JFR as a 3 car FC team. The kicker to this theory is that David Grubnic (TF Crew Chief) is rumored to now be working at JFR.
3. JFR has the funds for a 4 car operation and Austin Prock gets the nod and takes over the Courtney Force Funny Car, and Britt continues in TF with Grubnic making the tuning calls.

Any thoughts?

 

[Jack]

Good for he. I think they will field 4 cars with a new sponsorship on the FC. AAA appears to be done the full pull with the dragster and I do not think that they will fully fund both cars

 

[TooTall999]

This could go several ways in my opinion:

1. JFR maybe lacking funds for 3 Funny Cars and a Dragster. So they down size to 2 Funny Cars (John and Robert) and 1 Dragster. The dragster will get the AAP money.
2. JFR maybe lacking funds for 3 Funny Cars and a Dragster. Since AJ, Husen and crew are confirmed to have gone to the Salinas Top Fuel operation, JFR moves Brittany to the AAP Funny Car. We all know that Brittany has her own FC and is licensed. This keeps JFR as a 3 car FC team. The kicker to this theory is that David Grubnic (TF Crew Chief) is rumored to now be working at JFR.
3. JFR has the funds for a 4 car operation and Austin Prock gets the nod and takes over the Courtney Force Funny Car, and Britt continues in TF with Grubnic making the tuning calls.

Any thoughts?

#3 and look for an announcement regarding David Grubnic tuning.

 

[Butch]

Maybe the newly weds decided two racers in one family was too much. Considering on race weeks may be on opposite ends of the country, or world.

 

[Elkhunter]

I would vote for #3

 

[Dragracer]

Pomona entry list shows John with Peak and Robert with AAA. 2 down 2 to go. JF said all team info will be released this week.
No news on Tony Schumacker and he is not going testing.

 

[Jer]

Pomona entry list shows John with Peak and Robert with AAA. 2 down 2 to go. JF said all team info will be released this week.
No news on Tony Schumacker and he is not going testing.

And brittany for top fuel with advance ap,entered

 

[megadeth]

What happens to Brian Corradi? From what I know he can tune a Dragster!
He got Antron Brown a few championships!

 

[mikebcurve]

What happens to Brian Corradi? From what I know he can tune a Dragster!
He got Antron Brown a few championships!

In an interview right when Corradi started on Courtney's car he said he had things he wanted to accomplish in funny car before he retired which didn't sound like was too far down the road.

 

[megadeth]

In an interview right when Corradi started on Courtney's car he said he had things he wanted to accomplish in funny car before he retired which didn't sound like was too far down the road.

He also said he has been seriously contemplating retiring!
So I guess everyone is playing their hand close to their vest! We might have to just wait till the Season Opener!

 

[NITRO JUNKIE]

Sad to see Courtney go. Going to miss seeing her she’s always been nice, Good luck to her.

 

[turbo ken]

If they don't field a 3rd FC I'll bet Brian Corradi will tune John's FC (he could use it!!).

 

[you]

It looks as though Force's racestation in Yorba Linda has closed. Does anyone know if the entire shop is closed? Have they moved the entire operation to Brownsburg?