Two-time Norwalk finalist Courtney Force ready to take winning step with Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet
NORWALK, Ohio (June 20) – One more round.
That’s all Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Courtney Force wants in the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals this weekend at Summit Motorsports Park.
The last two seasons, Force has raced to the final round at Norwalk – the only Funny Car driver to do so. And while she’s still looking for her first victory at Norwalk, Force and her team clearly know how to get to the final.
“Norwalk’s always been a pretty great track for us,” Force said. “Being in the final round the last two years definitely gives our team a boost of confidence knowing that we’ve been successful here before. We hope to seal the deal.
“Our Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro team, all my guys – Dan Hood, Ronnie Thompson – we’re going to fight hard to end this streak on a high note.
“We’re hoping for a good weekend. It’s probably going to be another hot track, and we’re looking forward to heading back to Norwalk.”
Norwalk marks the end of a four-race stretch in four consecutive weekends, and Force and her team have acquitted themselves well. She went to the final round in Epping, to the semifinals in Englishtown and to the quarterfinals in Bristol. Force has also extended her streak of qualifying in the top half of the field 35 consecutive races.
Norwalk also is a home away from home for Force, who is married to IndyCar driver Graham Rahal. Rahal is from Columbus, Ohio.
“It almost feels like a second home track for me, just being that my husband is from Ohio,” Force said. “I know there’s a lot of close friends of ours who will be watching. Really hope to impress them and take home a win just like he did in Ohio last year.”
Two rounds of qualifying are slated for Friday (5:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Eastern) and Saturday (12:45 and 3:15 p.m.), with final eliminations at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Fox Sports 1 will televise one hour of qualifying on Friday (10:30 p.m. Eastern) and Saturday (midnight). FS1 plans three hours of finals coverage at 6 p.m. Sunday.
4-Second Reads:
Courtney Force has competed in five races at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park and every race since 2012, her first race at the track.
Force is looking for her third finals appearance at the track. She was the race runner-up the last two seasons – 2015 and 2016.
Force is 9-5 in 14 elimination rounds at Norwalk.
Force’s best qualifying effort at the track came in 2016, when she qualified No. 4.
Force is 4-1 in first-round matchups at Summit Motorsports Park.
Force is currently fifth in Funny Car points standings.
Force celebrates her 29th birthday Tuesday, June 20.
In her career, Force has eight victories, 144 elimination-round wins, and 15 No. 1 qualifying spots.
Force’s most recent NHRA victory – 2016 NHRA SpringNationals in Houston.
Force’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2017 NHRA Summernationals in Englishtown.
Force’s best time/speed at Norwalk – 3.889 seconds (2016 Q2); 326.63 mph (2016 Q2)
Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.815 seconds (2017 Topeka Q2); 338.68 mph (2017 Topeka E1)