COURTNEY FORCE EAGER TO GET BACK ON THE TRACK
CHANDLER, Ariz.
(February 20, 2013) – Courtney Force, the 24-year-old driver of the
Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car and current points leader in the NHRA
Mello Yello Drag Racing series, is gearing up to take on
a new set of challenges at the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb.
22-24 at Firebird International Raceway.
(February 20, 2013) – Courtney Force, the 24-year-old driver of the
Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car and current points leader in the NHRA
Mello Yello Drag Racing series, is gearing up to take on
a new set of challenges at the 29th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb.
22-24 at Firebird International Raceway.
Force has had an
exceptional start to the 2013 season, getting No. 1 qualifier, picking
up bonus points and taking the win at the O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals
just a few days ago in Pomona, Calif.
exceptional start to the 2013 season, getting No. 1 qualifier, picking
up bonus points and taking the win at the O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals
just a few days ago in Pomona, Calif.
The youngest daughter
of 15-time Funny Car Champion John Force powered through four rounds of
eliminations on Sunday, dismissing the likes of Phil Burkart Jr., Matt
Hagan, Bob Tasca III and finally Ron Capps
to earn her second career victory in the Funny Car category.
of 15-time Funny Car Champion John Force powered through four rounds of
eliminations on Sunday, dismissing the likes of Phil Burkart Jr., Matt
Hagan, Bob Tasca III and finally Ron Capps
to earn her second career victory in the Funny Car category.
“I was more nervous
going into Pomona this year than I was last year. When we went to that
No. 1 spot on Saturday I started feeling a little more comfortable. I’m
so lucky to have a great group of guys on my
team and to have Ron Douglas tuning my race car. He knows how to keep
this car running consistently.
going into Pomona this year than I was last year. When we went to that
No. 1 spot on Saturday I started feeling a little more comfortable. I’m
so lucky to have a great group of guys on my
team and to have Ron Douglas tuning my race car. He knows how to keep
this car running consistently.
“I was so nervous going
into race day on Sunday and it was surreal to think back to just a year
ago when I was making my Funny Car debut. It was really exciting
getting that win in just the first race of the
season,” said Force.
into race day on Sunday and it was surreal to think back to just a year
ago when I was making my Funny Car debut. It was really exciting
getting that win in just the first race of the
season,” said Force.
Force currently holds a 30-point lead over Winternationals runner-up, Capps, in the No. 2 spot.
“It’s definitely a big
boost of confidence coming off of a win at the first race and going into
Phoenix in the points lead. We definitely hope to keep this momentum
going, but I know that everyone is going to
be coming after me this weekend,” said Force.
boost of confidence coming off of a win at the first race and going into
Phoenix in the points lead. We definitely hope to keep this momentum
going, but I know that everyone is going to
be coming after me this weekend,” said Force.
Last year in Phoenix,
Force qualified in the No. 12 spot before beating her father John Force
in their first ever side by-side-race. She went on to take out fellow
rookie Todd Lesenko before losing to her brother-in-law,
Robert Hight, who went on to win the event for the John Force Racing
stable.
Force qualified in the No. 12 spot before beating her father John Force
in their first ever side by-side-race. She went on to take out fellow
rookie Todd Lesenko before losing to her brother-in-law,
Robert Hight, who went on to win the event for the John Force Racing
stable.
“It was a huge
accomplishment matching up against my dad last year in the first round
and turning on that win light. I think it throws my dad off of his game a
little when he has to race his kid, which is better
for me! We had a good race car last year and again this season, but
racing someone like my dad, a 15-time champion, and getting the win was
so exciting. I’ve grown up watching him race, but he has also taught me
everything I know about driving. In that round
a year ago, we were messing with each other a little bit and it must
have worked in my favor because I was able to grab the win. I’ll never
forget that day.
accomplishment matching up against my dad last year in the first round
and turning on that win light. I think it throws my dad off of his game a
little when he has to race his kid, which is better
for me! We had a good race car last year and again this season, but
racing someone like my dad, a 15-time champion, and getting the win was
so exciting. I’ve grown up watching him race, but he has also taught me
everything I know about driving. In that round
a year ago, we were messing with each other a little bit and it must
have worked in my favor because I was able to grab the win. I’ll never
forget that day.
“I’m looking forward to
seeing how our car will run at this race. Even though we’re coming off a
win in Pomona, I know it starts all over this weekend. Coming out to
Firebird I just hope to get our car qualified
and go some rounds and we will definitely are going to try and go after
another win for this Traxxas Ford Mustang team,” said Force.
seeing how our car will run at this race. Even though we’re coming off a
win in Pomona, I know it starts all over this weekend. Coming out to
Firebird I just hope to get our car qualified
and go some rounds and we will definitely are going to try and go after
another win for this Traxxas Ford Mustang team,” said Force.
For Immediate Release
BRITTANY MOVING FORWARD – TO PHOENIX
Castrol EDGE Top Fuel Dragster is a First for John Force Racing, Inc.
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The longest journey begins with a single step. Rookie
Brittany Force took that first step (and a couple more) during last
week’s season-opening O’Reilly
Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., her debut event at the controls of
the fully-canopied Castrol EDGE Top Fuel dragster.
Her goal in this week’s 29th
annual NHRA Arizona Nationals is to maintain
that forward momentum and deliver John Force Racing’s first round win in
a pro category other than Funny Car. It also would be Team Castrol’s
first Top Fuel round win since Pat Austin beat Blaine Johnson at Topeka,
Kan., in 1995.
annual NHRA Arizona Nationals is to maintain
that forward momentum and deliver John Force Racing’s first round win in
a pro category other than Funny Car. It also would be Team Castrol’s
first Top Fuel round win since Pat Austin beat Blaine Johnson at Topeka,
Kan., in 1995.
Although she lost to Brandon Bernstein in the very first round of last
week’s race, Brittany will roll to the starting line for Friday’s first
qualifying session considerably
more confident than one normally might expect. .
“Even though we went out in the first round, I’m still excited and I’m
glad to be out here racing with my dad, my sister Courtney and my
brother-in-law, Robert Hight. We
qualified (for the quickest Top Fuel field in NHRA drag racing history)
and we actually improved our performance when we went up against
Brandon.
“I thought I was going to be really nervous, but I surprised myself. I
came out here and everyone told me to think about it like it was
testing in West Palm (Beach, Fla.,
where the team conducted two separate pre-season tests),” said the
26-year-old graduate of Cal State-Fullerton.
“That’s pretty much what I did. I was a lot more relaxed than I
thought I would be. I put everything out of my mind and went up there
and did my thing. We had a good
car and we made a good run.”
Now, she tries to translate that performance into round wins while a
crew led by Dean “Guido” Antonelli and Eric Lane starts to twist the
knobs and nozzles on the Ford
BOSS 500 engine that produces a remarkable 10,000 horsepower.
Although she is a Top Fuel rookie, Brittany will benefit this week from
past experience at Firebird International Raceway where she drove in
both Super Comp and Top Alcohol
Dragster. In fact, she was eliminated in the fourth round of Super Comp
(one of the last 13 drivers in a 102-car field) at the 2004 Arizona
Nationals, beaten by fellow Californian Shawn Langdon who, ironically,
is the current Top Fuel points leader.
“I think it helps being familiar with a track,” Brittany said, “but,
really, I just want to get back on the track, any track. That is the
best scenario for me. It was
hard during testing when I would have a month off between runs. I felt
mentally like I was starting over. Having back-to-back races are the
best thing for my comfort level as a rookie. I like getting right back
out there.”
Although she raced to personal bests of 3.822 seconds and 323.43 mph in
last week’s loss, she expects improvement this week.
“I always get with “Hop” (Lane) after each run and go over everything,”
she said. “We talk about doing my same routine. They want me to
(shallow stage) and just do the
same thing, over and over. We got a lot of good information (last week)
and we’ll be ready for Phoenix.”
The question is, will Phoenix be ready for her?
-www.johnforceracing.com-
About Castrol
BP Lubricants USA Inc. markets premium lubricants and business–building
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transport lubricants. To find out more about Castrol products and
programs, please call 1–888–CASTROL or log on to www.castrol.com/us.
BP Lubricants USA Inc. markets premium lubricants and business–building
programs directly to independent lube operators, service providers, new
car dealers and leading retailers. Our leadership brands include
Castrol® GTX® — a premium conventional motor oil;
Castrol® GTX® High–Mileage™ – a premium synthetic blend designed for
vehicles with over 75,000 miles; the Castrol® EDGE ® line of advanced
full-synthetic super premium motor oils that offer unsurpassed strength
and performance; as well as our range of commercial
transport lubricants. To find out more about Castrol products and
programs, please call 1–888–CASTROL or log on to www.castrol.com/us.
HIGHT LOOKING TO RISE AGAIN IN PHOENIX
YORBA LINDA, CA
(February 20, 2013) — Last year Robert Hight and the Auto Club Mustang
started the season as the No. 1 qualifier at the Winternationals in
Pomona only to fall in the first round to rookie Todd
Lesenko. As the team headed to Firebird Raceway outside of Phoenix they
focused on regrouping and putting the Auto Club Mustang in the winner’s
circle. They were successful winning for the first time in 2012 and
starting a four race winning streak in the process.
(February 20, 2013) — Last year Robert Hight and the Auto Club Mustang
started the season as the No. 1 qualifier at the Winternationals in
Pomona only to fall in the first round to rookie Todd
Lesenko. As the team headed to Firebird Raceway outside of Phoenix they
focused on regrouping and putting the Auto Club Mustang in the winner’s
circle. They were successful winning for the first time in 2012 and
starting a four race winning streak in the process.
This year Hight’s Auto
Club Mustang wasn’t the quickest Funny Car in the field last week but it
showed flashes of promise before dropping a tire-smoking pedal-fest
with Cruz Pedregon in the opening session. Once
again Hight and crew chief Jimmy Prock roll into Phoenix with their eyes
set on qualifying strong and going rounds on Sunday.
Club Mustang wasn’t the quickest Funny Car in the field last week but it
showed flashes of promise before dropping a tire-smoking pedal-fest
with Cruz Pedregon in the opening session. Once
again Hight and crew chief Jimmy Prock roll into Phoenix with their eyes
set on qualifying strong and going rounds on Sunday.
“Getting the win at
Firebird last year was big for our team. We got some momentum and we
carried it for the next four races. This year I think we can get that
momentum again. I am glad to be going right back
to the race track after our weekend in Pomona. We put that race behind
us and Jimmy learned some things which we will try this weekend,” said
Hight
Firebird last year was big for our team. We got some momentum and we
carried it for the next four races. This year I think we can get that
momentum again. I am glad to be going right back
to the race track after our weekend in Pomona. We put that race behind
us and Jimmy learned some things which we will try this weekend,” said
Hight
The 2012 win was
Hight’s first win at Firebird after two previous final round appearances
(2008 and 2007). Hight has only lost in the first round one time at
Firebird back in 2006 when Hight’s Auto Club Mustang
smoked the tires against Tommy Johnson Jr. It was an unexpected turn of
events considering Hight was the higher seeded Funny Car.
Hight’s first win at Firebird after two previous final round appearances
(2008 and 2007). Hight has only lost in the first round one time at
Firebird back in 2006 when Hight’s Auto Club Mustang
smoked the tires against Tommy Johnson Jr. It was an unexpected turn of
events considering Hight was the higher seeded Funny Car.
Once again the Funny
Car category has to be considered tougher than ever. Sophomore driver
and JFR teammate Courtney Force took the top qualifying honors in Pomona
and then proceeded to win the race outrunning
perennial championship contender Ron Capps in the final. Veteran Del
Worsham returned to the driver’s seat along with a tough teammate Alexis
DeJoria for Kalitta Racing. Hight also has to deal with 15-time Funny
Car champion John Force who has teamed up with
crew chief Mike Neff to form a devastating combination.
Car category has to be considered tougher than ever. Sophomore driver
and JFR teammate Courtney Force took the top qualifying honors in Pomona
and then proceeded to win the race outrunning
perennial championship contender Ron Capps in the final. Veteran Del
Worsham returned to the driver’s seat along with a tough teammate Alexis
DeJoria for Kalitta Racing. Hight also has to deal with 15-time Funny
Car champion John Force who has teamed up with
crew chief Mike Neff to form a devastating combination.
“You are not going to
get any easy round wins in Funny Car. The only advantage you have by
being in the top half of the field is lane choice. The performance
difference from top to bottom is negligible. When
over half the field is running 4.0s you better have your game face on
when you roll up to the starting line. In the first round in Pomona Cruz
and I both went up in smoke because we knew you have to have a strong
tune up,” said Hight.
get any easy round wins in Funny Car. The only advantage you have by
being in the top half of the field is lane choice. The performance
difference from top to bottom is negligible. When
over half the field is running 4.0s you better have your game face on
when you roll up to the starting line. In the first round in Pomona Cruz
and I both went up in smoke because we knew you have to have a strong
tune up,” said Hight.
Last year en route to
his first victory in the desert Hight had to beat three Fords and the
Dodge of Johnny Gray. It was a tough day outrunning Bob Tasca III,
Courtney Force and then Mike Neff in the final. That
kind of tough field awaits Hight and the Auto Club team as they try to
move into the top ten and secure a spot in the Traxxas Shootout with a
win on Sunday.
his first victory in the desert Hight had to beat three Fords and the
Dodge of Johnny Gray. It was a tough day outrunning Bob Tasca III,
Courtney Force and then Mike Neff in the final. That
kind of tough field awaits Hight and the Auto Club team as they try to
move into the top ten and secure a spot in the Traxxas Shootout with a
win on Sunday.
“This season is long
and you can’t let yourself get too down if you don’t have success in
Pomona. Of course you want to win every race but here are seventeen more
races before the Countdown starts. You want to
get into the top ten and then make a strong run over the last six races
of the season. That is what wins Mello Yello championships. I won the
first Full Throttle Funny Car championship and my goal is to be the
first Mello Yello champion,” concluded Hight.
and you can’t let yourself get too down if you don’t have success in
Pomona. Of course you want to win every race but here are seventeen more
races before the Countdown starts. You want to
get into the top ten and then make a strong run over the last six races
of the season. That is what wins Mello Yello championships. I won the
first Full Throttle Funny Car championship and my goal is to be the
first Mello Yello champion,” concluded Hight.
For Immediate Release
WILL PENDULUM SWING AGAIN FOR FORCE?
Castrol GTX Ford Looking to Reclaim Former Dominance at Phoenix
PHOENIX, Ariz. – There was a time when the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals, contested this week for the 29th
time at Firebird International Raceway, was little more than a John Force fund raiser.
time at Firebird International Raceway, was little more than a John Force fund raiser.
During one stretch (1994 through 2002), the Hall of Fame owner/driver
won seven times while forging an elimination record of 31-2. He seemed
virtually unbeatable regardless
of the form his Castrol GTX Funny Car might assume – Chevrolet (1994),
Pontiac (1995-96) or Ford (1997-present).
But times change.
Over the last six years, the same man who once seemingly owned the
desert has advanced out of the first round just once. More
disconcerting is the fact that while he remains
the biggest winner in event history with three more titles than Pro
Stock legend Bob Glidden, he hasn’t put a Castrol GTX Mustang in the
winners’ circle since 2005.
That downward trend may be about to change.
With Mike Neff’s return to crew chief duties on the 10,000 horsepower
Castrol Funny Car, Force hopes to shove the pendulum in the other
direction this week when he returns
to a Firebird track he helped open as a first race headliner back in
1985.
In 28 previous appearances in the Arizona Nationals, Force never failed
to qualify while reaching the finals in almost every other start (13
times).
Of course, right now, if the 63-year-old icon is to regain the
respectability he seeks, he may have to do something he hasn’t done very
often in his career and that is
“spank” his daughter, Courtney, the current Funny Car points leader.
Force is 1-2 against his youngest daughter who dispatched him
unceremoniously in the first round of last year’s Arizona Nationals and
went on to finish four places ahead
of him in the final NHRA standings.
“It’s hard for me to get (my energy) up to race my girls,” Force said.
“I love them so much and want them to succeed, but I’ve gotta put that
aside because I get paid
to win just like they do and if I can’t show my sponsors that can still
go for the championship, well, they’re not going to be around.
“They ask you, ‘what have you done for me lately?’ They don’t want to
know about 15 championships and all those (134) race wins,” said the man
who last year was a first
ballot inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in
Talladega, Al.
“And that’s how it should be. That’s what keeps me motivated. I want
to show Robert (son-in-law Robert Hight, driving of the Auto Club Ford)
and Courtney that I can still
race for a championship and I think I can. I’m excited.”
He has every reason to be optimistic. After all, the last time he and
Neff collaborated, the result was a championship (2010). Moreover, the
last time they teamed up
at Phoenix, Force went all the way to the final round before a one-day
postponement changed the track conditions, resulting in a loss of
traction that cost him the win. It’s the only time in the last six
years that he has been ousted in round one.
Neff, who finished fifth and third in points the last two seasons as
both driver and crew chief on the Castrol GTX Mustang, opted out of
double-duty by his own choice to
concentrate on the job he loves the most – tuning a nitro-powered hot
rod.
Which works out really well, because Force just loves driving one.