COURTNEY FORCE ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY FROM SEATTLE INCIDENT

COURTNEY FORCE
ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY FROM SEATTLE INCIDENTRENTON, WA (August 7, 2016) --- NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing
Series racer Courtney Force escaped serious injury after a racing incident in
the first round of Sunday’s eliminations at Pacific Raceways. Force’s Traxxas
Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car made contact with the left guard wall. Force
exited the vehicle on her own power and was checked by NHRA emergency services
personnel before heading to Valley Medical Center in Renton, Wash., where she
was evaluated for head, neck, knee, elbow and shoulder injuries.“I am beat up pretty good. My arm, my shoulder, and my right
knee are banged up. I am really thankful that the second I got out of the race
car there was already a Safety Safari person right there to help me get down. I
couldn’t put any weight on my right knee. I want to say thanks to everyone that
was at the track who helped me. I got right to the ER and the doctor checked me
out. I am extremely relieved nothing is broken,�?? said Force.Doctors released Force from the hospital this evening but expect
her to be very sore tomorrow. X-rays of her right knee, left elbow and left shoulder
along with a CT scan of her head and cervical spine were negative. The tendon
on the knee was intact but there was a contusion from contact with the steering
wheel. Force will see a sports orthopedist in Lake Tahoe, Nev., where the
family has a summer home for continued evaluation and to make sure there is not
a partial tendon tear in the knee.  “I have to thank everyone at Simpson Racing and their Stilo
helmet for protecting me. To hit a concrete guard wall and move it two feet and
not break any bones is a testament to their equipment and NHRA safety
requirements,�?? said Force.“I am going to see a physical therapist in Tahoe. Thankfully
we have a weekend off. My goal is to get healed up as soon as possible. I want
to say sorry to my team to have to witness that. We were planning on making a
lot of changes to my car after this race and my dad joked that I gave them a
head start,�?? explained Force. “I definitely feel bad we ruined the body and the
chassis. Luckily we have some time and can get the car fixed up and my own body
fixed up. I am looking forward to getting back as fast as I can. I want to
thank all the fans for all their support.�??Force, the No. 3 qualifier, was racing Jeff Diehl in the first
round when her Traxxas Funny Car smoked the tires. Force attempted to pedal her
10,000 hp race car before it made hard contact with the guard wall. “I am really bummed out about the run. I am disappointed because
I really wanted that win. I pedaled the car repeatedly hoping to just run him
down but I got a little too aggressive. I think I hit the wall right where
Ashley crashed a few years ago. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with
this track since I have won here twice and have had two incidents but happy to
be safe,�?? joked Force. Force will focus on her rehabilitation with the goal being
to race at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota in two weeks.