NHRA star Courtney Force announces retirement

NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force has announced she will be retiring from driving with immediate effect.

Force, the daughter of 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, is the most successful female funny car driver in history with 12 wins to her name, the first coming in 2012.

Other career highlights include 17 runner-up finishes, and 29 semi final appearances – including 11 in her final season which is just two short of the record set by her father back in 1996. She has also finished in the top 10 in the points in all but one of her seasons competing in NHRA.

“I will be stepping away from my driving duties, effective immediately. This was a personal choice as I feel I’m ready to see what the next chapter in my life has in store for me, while spending more time with family,” Force said in a statement. “I intend to remain involved in the industry I love and continue to work with a few select partners as I go forward in 2019.”

“I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to have such a successful career at John Force Racing and the privilege of working with so many incredible people while racing against competitors who pushed me to be a better driver.”

The first family of drag racing…

Force, who will remain involved with drag racing through off-track activities, is the second of the Force family to retire following her sister Ashley’s decision to step away in 2011. The pair, along with their father, sister Brittany, and brother-in-law Robert Hight are known as the ‘First Family of Drag Racing’.

“I first have to thank my dad for encouraging me to live out my dream of being a Funny Car driver while getting to compete against him and learn from the best,” Force, who is married to IndyCar race winner Graham Rahal, said. “I want to thank my family and my husband, Graham, for their support through the highs and lows and to my team for their undeniable will to win and for always keeping me motivated, confident and safe in my race car.”

John Force remains an active driver. The 69-year-old will enter his 42nd consecutive season of NHRA competition in 2019. Brittany Force, the 2017 Top Fuel champion, will also compete in 2019, as will two-time Funny Car champion Hight.

No replacement for Courtney Force has been announced at this time, but Brittany Force will take over her sister’s Advance Auto Parts sponsorship for her Top Fuel entry.