COURTNEY FORCE
was destined for success. But she far exceeded
whatever was expected.
When saw some extra emotion – like when
she lost to Robert Hight in the final round at
Atlanta with the 100th female win on the line or
not qualifying two years ago in Norwalk – it made
Force resonate with everyone that much more.
Of course, Force always responded in style on
the track. The race after she fell to Hight, Force
came through in Topeka for the historic 100th
victory by a female, and she finished a career-best
third in points in 2017. But in 2018, we saw an
even better side of Force on the track and it was
a thrill to take in.
For any of the remaining inept few that thought
she was only there because of her name, she just
simply continued to kick that door down. Force
had an incredible 2018, winning four races and
taking the points lead into the Countdown to the
Championship.
She formed an incredible combo with crew chief
Brian Corradi and it was impressive to see the
respect she had earned within the sport as well.
Force’s improvements behind the wheel over the
past few years were evident and it wasn’t just my
untrained eye that saw it.
I remember Matt Hagan telling me how
Force kicked his butt on the track a few times
last season, something he echoed when he
edged past Force in the final round in Nor-
walk last summer. It was a common sentiment
among all drivers a year ago as Force qualified
No. 1 11 times and was just as impressive on
the starting line.
She had their respect, she had their attention
and maybe most importantly, not one competitor
could say a bad word about her.
“Thank you @courtneyforce for making our
sport, the Funny Car class, and the rest of us
#NHRA drivers better on and off the track,” said
Ron Capps on Twitter. “Your courage and charisma
took our sport to new places and people and lining
up next to your race car always brought out the
best in my team and I.”
And that is where it will arguably be most
difficult to see Force go. She clearly had come
into her own a year ago and one can only imag-
ine what was possible when that full potential
with Corradi and her team was unleashed. After
watching her in 2018, you got the feeling the
best was still to come.
Alas, it won’t happen, but there should be no
sour feelings in that, either. Going out like she did
with a fantastic season was surely satisfying for her
and it should be for us as fans as well.
It’s always easy to wonder “what if,” especially
as it relates to a talented racer who so easily
grabbed the spotlight and thrived in it. The Force
name gave her a pedestal, but she didn’t run from
it. She embraced the attention, brought extra
fanfare to the sport and built her own brand and
identity in the process.
She wasn’t afraid to take risks
– the ESPN The Magazine photo
shoot, as an example – and didn’t
let anything get her down. It
worked, too, and it wasn’t out of
the ordinary to see Courtney grab
the biggest spotlight out of any of
the Force family at an event.
I can remember as far back as
2013 when she beat her legendary
father, John, in the final round
at Epping and the impressive
ovation that followed. It was a
common theme, including when
she topped John again in the fi-
nal round last year at Richmond.
Fans flocked to her and she wel-
comed that, taking the task of
being a role model – especially
to female fans – seriously.
She was remarkably popular
and Force carried herself the way
we would want any superstar to
conduct themselves, both on and
off the track. Which, of course, is
why it pains me – and thousands
more – to see her go.
But after seven years, Force
was ready to chase another dream
and we should celebrate that. Her
relationship with sister, Brittany,
is special and now is the perfect
time for Brittany’s starpower to
reach another level.
She won the 2017 Top Fuel
championship and has a distinct,
unique personality of her own
being the only Force to tackle
the Top Fuel ranks. Now is the time for her to
go to another level, something that started im-
mediately when she took over the Advance Auto
Parts sponsorship on her dragster. The Funny
Car duo of Robert Hight and John Force remain
strong, and there’s plenty of excitement brewing
about the potential of future star Austin Prock,
who made his Top Fuel debut at the season-
opening Winternationals.
So, John Force Racing will be just fine and, by
all accounts, Courtney is happy chasing what’s
next in her life. If that’s the case, how can any of
us be upset?
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