Courtney Force heads to Chicago seeking first win in
special Advance Auto Parts/Carquest Auto Parts livery

JOLIET, Ill. (July 3) – Courtney Force still seeks her first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series victory of 2017 as the series heads to the 13th round of the season, the Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

Force, who drives the Advance Auto Parts/Carquest Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, has finished runner-up in each of her finals appearances this season – the season-opening Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in California, and the New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H.

She’s hoping that Chicago – where she earned her first career finals appearance in 2012, her rookie season – turns into victory.

“There is where I went to my first final round, and a track near where a lot of my crew guys and my crew chief (Daniel Hood) are from, so I guess you could say this is their home track,” Force said. “I know a lot of them are going to have a lot of family and friends out here. I’m looking forward to making it a great race for our team, and hope to put the turn things around from last race and get ourselves in that winners’ circle.”

Force is coming off a disappointing end to the Eastern Swing, in which she did not qualify at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. But that’s already behind her – a mere statistic – and she’s focused on putting her car back in contention for a victory and in a strong position for the Countdown to the Championship, the final six-race stretch that determines the series champions in all classes.

“Our AAP team is looking forward to having six races left, and I think we’re in a pretty good position,” said Force, sixth in points. “We’re still really excited; I’ve got a great team and we’re pumped up with where we are. We just need to go rounds.”

Force’s Camaro will also sport a special livery this weekend, with the addition of Carquest logo to the hood and sides of the cars. Carquest Auto Parts, owned by Advance Auto Parts, has more than 1,250 independently-owned stores across the U.S. – many of which are located in the Midwest – and abroad. Carquest brand products, such as brakes, batteries, filters, lubricants and chemicals, are available exclusively at Advance Auto Parts and Carquest.

“I’m excited to be running the Carquest paint scheme this weekend for the Carquest stores in the region and Carquest brand products, that are in the Advance Auto Parts stores as well as the Carquest Auto Parts stores,” Force said.

The 20th annual Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals begins Friday with two qualifying sessions – at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Central time (7 and 9:30 p.m. Eastern time). The third and fourth rounds of qualifying are scheduled for 4 and 6:45 p.m. Central on Saturday (televised live at 5 p.m. Eastern on Fox Sports 1). Final round eliminations are scheduled for noon Central on Sunday (televised live at 3 p.m. Eastern on FS1).

4-Second Reads:
Courtney Force has competed in five races at Route 66 Raceway and every race since 2012, her first race at the track.
Force is looking for her second finals appearance at Route 66. She finished second in 2012.
Force is 6-5 in 11 elimination races at Route 66 Raceway.
Force’s best qualifying effort at Route 66 Raceway came in 2014, when she qualified No. 5.
Force is 3-2 in first-round matchups at Route 66 Raceway.
Force is currently sixth in Funny Car points standings.
In her career, Force has eight wins, 144 elimination-round wins, and 15 No. 1 qualifying spots.
Force leads all Funny Car drivers with five No. 1 qualifying efforts this season (Las Vegas, Houston, Charlotte, Atlanta, Englishtown).
Force’s most recent NHRA victory – 2016 NHRA SpringNationals in Baytown, Texas
Force’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2017 NHRA Summernationals in Englishtown, N.J.
Force’s best time/speed at Chicago – 3.895 seconds (2016 Q2); 328.06 mph (2016 Q2)
Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.815 seconds (2017 Topeka Q2); 338.68 mph (2017 Topeka E1)
Crew chief Daniel Hood, who hails from Chicago, celebrates his birthday Saturday, July 8, which is also sister-in-law Brittany Force’s birthday.
Other Illinois natives that are part of the team include Brandon Heisler (tire/body) of Aurora and Ryan Wirth (clutch specialist) of Erie.
Christopher Norris of El Paso, Texas, joins the team as the assistant clutch specialist.