espnW Blog: Courtney Force
So many amazing things have happened with just a couple weeks off in between races. I took a flight at speeds over 700 miles per hour, which is twice the g-forces and speed that I’m used to in a Funny Car.
Will Lester/Inland Valley Daily BulletinStarting out the 2013 race season as a sophomore driver in the Funny Car category, I was surprisingly more nervous than when I started my rookie season at the Winternationals. The first race of the season is at my home track in Pomona, Calif.
Courtesy of Force RacingMy sister, Brittany Force, made a big announcement at our John Force Racing news conference at the beginning of January. She will be piloting the Top Fuel dragster during this NHRA season. She will be entering into her rookie season, just like I did in Funny Car, last year.
Courtesy of Courtney ForceEvery year for Christmas my family heads eight hours north to enjoy the snow at Lake Tahoe. It has been a tradition for years because it is the one time we all can get together as a family and enjoy each other’s company.
Courtesy of Courtney Force A couple of weeks ago our race team closed out a great season in Pomona, Calif. We finished in fifth overall in Funny Car and I won rookie of the year while my team was awarded the Full Throttle Hard Working Crew Award.
AP Photo/Jerry FossI wrapped up my rookie season in Funny Car with the Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Cailf., last weekend. The race, which was on my home track, was full of excitement. I had fun promoting the race at the annual La Verne NHRA Fan Fest with my dad and sister and doing radio and TV interviews.
Courtesy of Courtney ForceWith a few days back home in California, I headed into the office and caught up on a few things before a day off. It felt great to be back home, but having a two-week gap between races was painful.
Gary Nastase PhotographyIt was an exciting weekend leading up to the Reading, Pa., race. I flew into Pittsburgh for an appearance. We started the day at the Pirates vs. Braves baseball game and got a tour of downtown Pittsburgh.
Courtesy of Courtney ForceI've been the spokeswoman for Ford Driving Skills for Life for two years now, and I love being able to represent something so important -- safe driving. Last year I got the opportunity to talk to a group of high school students about the importance of safe driving and showed them cool videos of how we try to keep our Funny Cars as safe as possible with the help of Ford engineers.
Courtesy of Courtney Force Flying directly from the Charlotte race right into San Antonio on a 6 a.m. flight made for a pretty exhausting extended weekend. Unfortunately, I'm not a morning person so I don't know how I get up for those kinds of flights.
Courtesy of Courtney ForceWhen your career takes you out on the road, it’s always changing and exciting. But it also requires a lot of patience, especially your first season out. I’ve taken on a full load this year and although it seems like a lot, I love every second of it!
Courtesy of Courtney ForceThe U.S. Nationals got postponed because of rain, which left me a whole week in Indiana ... with my dad. The rest of my family flew back home, but my dad and I decided to stay in town until we could continue the race.
Courtesy of Courtney Force A lot of stress comes along with the U.S. Nationals, but also a ton of excitement. We had a really crazy week leading up to the race, but I really enjoy promoting our sport, especially for this race.
Courtesy of Courtney Force Coming off an amazing weekend in Seattle, where I got my first win in Funny Car, I look back over a week later and still can't believe what we accomplished. Winning in only our 15th race of the season in my rookie year, and having to take out a few champion drivers in the process, still seems unreal.
Ron LewisBeing that Im in my rookie year, I still have a lot to learn, but Ive been having a lot of fun in the process. Being able to go out and be full time on the NHRA circuit with Traxxas on the side of my race car, and racing against my dad, is a dream come true. However, I never thought in my first professional season I would earn my first national event win in Funny Car!