Showbiz Analysis: Drag Racing Superstar Courtney Force on Family Competition and The Power of Fans

You could say that NHRA favorite Courtney Force has racing in her DNA. These days, the youngest daughter of drag racing legend John Force, is literally giving her father a run for his money. I caught up with Courtney Force earlier this year at the NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, where she was part of the family force (along with sister Brittany) behind John Force Racing. In between funny car runs, Force chatted with me for my podcast Whine At 9, where we discussed the power of fans, her longterm love of racing and the secret to handling family competition.

Courtney Force’s work trailer has a cool and cozy lounge that offers a small respite from a hot day at the races. But even within that private space, the muffled sounds of revving engines dominate. I may have been a little rattled from the noise, but Force doesn’t flinch. In fact, those sounds might be music to the ears of the 28-year-old who grew up in the pits watching her father race toward success.

Today, she’s joined him on the track, and has a fan base to prove she’s a major speed racer. Force’s lounge is decorated with artwork given to her by young fans. “Usually when I’m out at the rope signing autographs between rounds, or before rounds, I always get little kids that will make me stuff—little signs, or actually I get a lot of little good luck bracelets and I’ll wear it during my run,” says Force.

It’s been a few years, but Courtney Force used to be the one drawing those racing photos. “I have a picture that I drew for my dad when I was a kid,” says the funny car driver. “And it was him racing all these other cars and he was in the front— winning of course, and everybody else was smoking the tires. I have big puffs of smoke behind the car. But yeah, I drew pictures of race cars as a kid. I loved it. You know, I loved being around this. Obviously growing up in the sport of NHRA drag racing, watching my dad race these cars over 300 mph. He was on fire. He was flipping over. I mean, it was insane, but as a kid I loved it— just being in the stands and hanging out with my family, drinking a lemonade, and just watching what he does. It was, you know, good old-fashioned, side-by-side racing on a track. And it’s pretty cool that I get to be out here racing against him [dad John Force] today.”

Courtney Force admits that competition is a way of life for the Force family. “I think that’s kind of instilled in all of us girls, but you know, my dad—he wants us all to do well…He taught me everything that I know about raising these funny cars. And when I pull up next to him on the starting line…the whole game changes. It’s a lot of fun. I actually try to mess with him on the tree [The ‘Christmas Tree’ is the electronic device/starting lights that signal the start of the race.] and have fun with it. But we’ve gone back-and-forth on wins. So he’s kicked my butt quite a few times, and vice versa. But I think…even when he loses—obviously he doesn’t enjoy losing, but he’s proud that his daughter is able to go on and go to the next round. But…it’s bittersweet, because someone’s gonna have to pack up and hit the trailer, and it’s the end of the day for them.”

Listen to Nancy’s conversation behind-the-scenes with Courtney Force on iTunes and follow the podcast on Facebook.

 While competing against a family member may be a bit stressful, the Forces seem to handle it with ease. “He’s taught me everything I know about these cars, and I try to have fun with that,”Courtney Force says. “So it’s great to be out here with him and getting to race with him. He definitely pushes me to be a better driver.”

Few will ever know Courtney Force’s behind-the-wheel experiences, but the lessons she’s learned are easily applied off the track. “Obviously you have to have a lot of patience, and you learn from your mistakes,”says the racer, whose husband also shares her need-for-speed (Force is married to IndyCar driver Graham Rahal). “I personally have learned more and become a stronger individual and a better driver by learning through my mistakes. You know, I’ve screwed up and I’ve been down on myself. It’s been hard—I’ve been through the ups and downs of racing. The highs of winning and then, you know, the lows of losing. And you can be on top in a winner’s circle one weekend, and come out and not even qualify for a race. And that’s when you have to learn to pick yourself back up and put yourself together. And it pushes you to try even harder the next time and really just keep practicing to be better.” Fast and wise. That’s Courtney Force.