Drag Illustrated Issue 142, March 2019 | Page 18

Got Dirt? dirt@dragillustrated.com Too Soon? Courtney Force pull the ‘chutes early on a powerful Funny Car career BY JOSH HACHAT I 18 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com t wasn’t exactly the news you want to hear heading into a new sea- son – one of the biggest stars in the sport stepping away. Courtney Force, the winningest female in Funny Car history, walking away from drag rac- ing leaves a sizeable impact, as any superstar leaving their sport would. Some will argue it’s too soon for a driver who came into their own, but in Force’s eyes it was the perfect time, so how can we argue with that? The heartfelt thanks and well wishes came rolling in on social media, which also told a great deal about how Force carried herself as an ambassador in the sport. She was universally beloved across the wide spectrum of young and older drag racing fans in the sport, and that is not something that is easy to do. With a magnetic smile, as well as unquestioned enthusiasm for the sport, Force Issue 142