Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force seeks first career victory at Brainerd

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force seeks first career victory at Brainerd Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 15) – Courtney Force and the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro team head into this weekend’s NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway with a single goal – winning their first Funny Car race of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.   Force had a strong showing in the annual Western Swing, notching her sixth No. 1 qualifying effort at Denver and earning semifinals appearances at Sonoma and Seattle. Though victory has eluded her, she comes to Brainerd with a little less pressure than she did going into the Western Swing, as her efforts at Seattle gave her enough points to clinch a spot in the annual Countdown to the Championship, which begins next month in Charlotte.   “The biggest thing that has come out of the Western Swing having our Advance Auto Parts team clinch a spot in the Countdown,�?? said Force, currently sixth in the points standings. “Now, we can go into Brainerd with our heads cleared and just focus on that win and not think about trying to clinch a spot. We’re definitely in a good position after our last elimination-round win at Seattle.   “I’m proud of my guys; they’ve done an unbelievable job so far. We’ve yet to get that win, but I know it’s right around the corner. I’d love for it to be in Brainerd. I hope we can get some good runs at Brainerd so we can be set up for the U.S. Nationals and the Countdown.�??   Force’s best effort at Brainerd came last season, when she made it to the semifinals. But there’s no reason to believe she can’t give JFR a 16th Funny Car victory at Brainerd and 17th overall. Her father, team owner John Force, has visited winner’s circle at the Minnesota track a record 11 times, and teammate Robert Hight won the race in 2015. Her sister, Brittany Force, is the defending race winner in Top Fuel.   “We’ve had some success with several of our teams up there at Brainerd, and while we haven’t gotten a win up there yet, I feel good after a strong Western Swing,�?? Force said. “It feels like we’ve gone in the right direction. Having gone to the semifinals twice out west has put us in a good position going into Brainerd. This is ‘Zoo,’ this is where the fans come and have a great time, and this is the race that will really set us up for the U.S. Nationals.�??   The NHRA Nationals begins Friday with two rounds of qualifying at 3:30 and 6 p.m. Central (television coverage beginning at 9 p.m. Central Eastern on Fox Sports 1). The final two rounds of qualifying are scheduled for 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Central on Saturday (television coverage at 9 p.m. on FS1).   Elimination rounds are scheduled for 11 a.m. Central on Sunday (three hours of live finals coverage at 1 p.m. Central).   4-Second Reads: Courtney Force has competed in five races at Brainerd International Raceway and every race since 2012, her first race at the track. Force is still seeking her first career Funny Car victory at Brainerd. Her best result was a semifinals appearance last season. Force is 3-5 in eight elimination rounds at Brainerd, with two first-round elimination wins. Force’s best qualifying effort at Brainerd is No. 4, which she qualified in 2015. Force is currently sixth in Funny Car points standings. She has already clinched a spot in the Countdown for the Championship. In 2017, Force has a 17-15 record in elimination rounds and six No. 1 qualifiers, the most she has recorded in a single season. In her career, Force has eight victories, 148 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 Brainerd – 3.878 seconds (2016 E1); 328.54 mph (2016 E1) Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.815 seconds (2017 Topeka Q2); 338.68 mph (2017 Topeka E1) About John Force Racing John Force Racing, Inc., based in Yorba Linda, Calif., and Brownsburg, Ind., is a professional sports dynasty, one that has earned 18 NHRA championships and claimed 254 professional victories in Funny Car (250) and Top Fuel (4). Led by team owner and driver John Force, a 16-time Funny Car Champion, 1996 Driver of the Year for all of American motor racing, 2011 International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, and driver of the PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, JFR is additionally comprised of Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight, 2009 Funny Car champion and 2005 NHRA Rookie of the Year; Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Courtney Force, 2012 NHRA Rookie of the Year; and Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster driver Brittany Force, 2013 NHRA Rookie of the Year. For more information, please visit johnforceracing.com. Media Contact: Lee Montgomery John Force Racing Public Relations (704) 258-0903 lmontgomery@johnforceracing.com Media Contact: Michael Harker John Force Racing Public Relations (386) 547-3943 mharker@johnforceracing.com Connect with us       John Force Racing | 498 Southpoint Circle, Brownsburg, IN 46112 Unsubscribe submit@theautochannel.com Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by lmontgomery@johnforceracing.com in collaboration with Try it free today