Courtney Force hopes Advance Auto Parts
team will be a race-day force in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (July 25) – Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force watched her John Force Racing teammate win last weekend, and she’d love to follow Robert Hight into the winner’s circle in the NHRA Sonoma Nationals this weekend at Sonoma Raceway.
Hight had raced to two final rounds this season before breaking through with his first victory of 2017 at Bandimere Speedway on Sunday. Force herself has two final-round appearances this season, yet is still looking for victory No. 1 of 2017.
“We’re looking for our first win this season,” Force said. “We’ve won in Sonoma before and we’ve done well there, so we’re looking to get some points and continue to go rounds as we get to the middle of the Swing.”
Force qualified No. 1 last weekend in Denver, her sixth of the season, kicking off the three-race Western Swing on a positive note. Sonoma is race No. 2, with Seattle following a week later. Force has a solid record at Sonoma, winning in 2014 from the No. 1 qualifying spot.
“It’s the middle of the Western Swing, and it’ll be great to be back in Sonoma,” Force said. “We’ve done well at this track in the past, and I grew up watching my dad race at this event, so I’m really looking forward to getting back there.”
Force, though, knows her Chevrolet Camaro SS team needs to overcome some inconsistency on race day. Force’s team, led by crew chief Dan Hood and co-crew chief Ronnie Thompson, has shown plenty of speed this year but has had an issue with dropping cylinders. Once that issue is worked out, Force will indeed be a force on race day.
“It’s the same one that’s dropping every weekend that’s screwing us up. For our Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro team, knowing that we have a fast hot rod when the conditions are right is great. It’s a great feeling, but we definitely have to get this thing running well in the heat.”
Fox Sports 1 will broadcast one hour of qualifying coverage on Friday at 8 p.m. Pacific and one hour on Saturday at 7 p.m. Pacific. Three hours of live eliminations coverage will be on Fox starting at 1 p.m. Pacific.
4-Second Reads:
Courtney Force has competed in five races at Sonoma Raceway and every race, since 2012, her first race at the track.
Force is looking for her second finals appearance at the track. She recorded her only appearance in winning the 2014 race against her father, John Force.
Force is 8-4 in 12 elimination races at Sonoma Raceway, with three first-round elimination wins.
Force qualified No. 1 for the 2014, marking the third time she qualified No. 1 and went on to win the race. She also set the event quick elapsed time and speed.
Force is currently sixth in Funny Car points standings.
In her career, Force has eight victories, 144 elimination-round wins, and 16 No. 1 qualifiers.
Force’s most recent NHRA victory – 2016 NHRA SpringNationals in Baytown, Texas
Force’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2017 Mile-High Nationals in Morrison, Colo.
Force’s best time/speed at Sonoma – 3.871 seconds (2016); 323.97 mph (2016)
Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.815 seconds (2017 Topeka Q2); 338.68 mph (2017 Topeka E1)
Force and sister Brittany will compete in the event press conference on Thursday, July 27, at Zocalo Restaurant, 1801 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95811. Media members interested in attending the press conference are encouraged to contact Sara Slaughter, NHRA Communications, at sslaughter@nhra.com to confirm RSVP and time.
Mark Freidenfelt, who builds the team’s superchargers, hails from Sacramento.