Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force heads
into Denver, Western Swing with confidence

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
DENVER (July 18) – Courtney Force remembers last year’s race at Bandimere Speedway all too well. She qualified No. 1 for the Mile-High Nationals, the start of the annual Western Swing, and raced to the finals before she was taken out by her boss – father John Force.
Of course, you never want to lose to your dad, even if he is a 16-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion, but it was a victory for John Force Racing nonetheless.
This time, however, Force is confident she and her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro team will wind up on the winning end.

“We’re going to try and perform just like we did last year, and if we do, we should be in good shape,” Force said. “I’m feeling confident going into it. We’re looking to go some rounds, and get some points, because we definitely need to start the Western Swing off on the right foot.”
Denver is the only track on the Western Swing – which includes Sonoma Raceway and Pacific Raceways – which Force has yet to win. But she’s been close – really close. Her runner-up finish last season came on a holeshot, as her elapsed time was two thousandths of a second better than her father’s. But John Force was better on the light, and he triumphed by about seven feet.
In 2012, Force led the majority of the race, including at the 60-, 330- and 660-foot marks. But the car slid all over the track and nearly hit the wall, and she fell approximately four feet short of winning.
“Denver is a great track for our team, and I’m excited about going back,” said Force, sixth in Funny Car points standings. “Obviously, this is a tricky track for a lot of teams out here because of the high altitude, being the Mile-High Nationals. Our car went all the way to the final round last year, only to be taken out by my dad. Looking for a great three-race streak, and excited to get to Denver.”
All in all, Force looks forward to a strong Western Swing and solid conclusion to the regular season, as there are only five more races until the Countdown to the Championship. Her mindset now, she said, is going rounds and staying consistent. Of course, a victory isn’t out of the question either.
“We’re hoping the Western Swing goes well for us,” Force said. “I’m excited to get back to the West Coast and hopefully turn things around for our Advance Auto Parts team. We definitely need more rounds and more points.”
Nitro qualifying for the Mile-High Nationals begins Friday, with two sessions at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Mountain time (televised on Fox Sports 1 at 8 p.m. Eastern). The final two sessions of nitro qualifying are scheduled Saturday for 4:30 and 7 p.m. Mountain (televised at midnight Eastern Sunday on FS1). Elimination rounds begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Mountain (three hours of live television coverage on FOX beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern).
4-Second Reads:
Courtney Force has competed in five races at Bandimere Speedway and every race since 2012, her first race at the track.
Force is looking for her third finals appearance at the track. She has finished runner-up twice, including last year’s race against father John Force.
Force is 8-5 in 13 elimination races at Bandimere Speedway.
Force earned her only No. 1 qualifier at Bandimere Speedway, in 2016.
Force is 4-1 in five first-round matchups at Bandimere Speedway.
Force is currently sixth in Funny Car points standings.
In her career, Force has eight victories, 144 elimination-round wins, and 15 No. 1 qualifiers.
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 Denver – 3.917 seconds (2016 Q2); 322.04 mph (2016 E3)
Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.815 seconds (2017 Topeka Q2); 338.68 mph (2017 Topeka E1)