Courtney Force Ready for NHRA Pro Funny Car Debut in February

Drag racing is about to get a shot in the arm when a bright young star makes her pro debut in a little over a month.

Courtney Force, the 23-year-old daughter of 15-time NHRA champion John Force, will make her Professional driving debut Feb. 9-12 at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in a Ford Mustang Funny Car sponsored by Traxxas, the world leader in ready-to-run radio-controlled vehicles.

Courtney, who for the last four seasons learned how to deal with all of the off-track aspects of professional racing and has proven herself a skilled interviewee, a reality TV star, a spokesperson for Ford Motor Company’s Driving Skills for Life program, a national marketing contest winner, and a fan favorite, finally will get a chance to show what she can do on the track.

“For Traxxas, Courtney represents more than just a female driver on the track. The family that she comes from has been racing, and she’s been a part of racing all of her life. She’s not just another girl at the racetrack; she’s a girl that has real DNA and John Force DNA embedded in her, and it shows,” said Mike Jenkins, Traxxas president. “Take a couple of minutes and talk with Courtney; you’ll see the competitiveness that comes out in that girl. She’s going to represent our company and our brand. She’s been a top pick for us for a very long time -- we’re proud to have her on.”

Courtney had success in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class, including winning a national event.  Courtney spent last season testing in a Ford Funny Car after selected NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tour events.

Her crew chiefs will be Ron Douglas and Scott Wible.

Courtney Force Tests Her Funny Car Monday at Maple Grove

Following the conclusion of the NHRA event in Maple Grove on Monday, Courtney Force took her Funny Car out on the track and made a test run.

A nice clean pass.

She should be out on the track in 2012.

One to Watch... Courtney Force

She's the youngest of the Force daughters, but she's also the most recent to start driving the family car, Nitro Funny Cars that is.

Courtney will start learning to drive an NHRA Funny Car this year, and before she event gets behind the wheel for an actual run, she is on the cover of National Dragster.

This may be the first, but it won't be the only time she graces the cover of a national magazine.  Courtney is a marketing dream, just like her sister Ashley.  She's young, smart, funny, attractive and she can drive.

Sponsors should be falling all over her to get affiliated with Courtney.  Courtney may have been at her best in the TV series, Driving Force that aired back in 2006-07.  It looks like John Force's new production company will film another reality series featuring Courtney breaking into the Funny Car ranks.  I can't wait.

In the meantime, the Driving Force Season 1 episodes are still relevant and classic to watch.