Courtney Force made headlines in 2015 when she tied the knot with IndyCar driver Graham Rahal back in November.
Unfortunately for the seven-time NHRA Funny Car race winner, Force was unable to make many other headlines on track last year after her worst season in the NHRA Funny Car series to date. She failed to score a race win or make the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs, just one year after finishing a career-best fourth in the points.
Fortunately for the 27-year-old driver of the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro, redemption is just around the corner, with the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series set to kick off this weekend.
“Last season was a rough one for us,” admitted Force. “We had many hurdles that we couldn't seem to overcome, but took it as a learning experience for us. We took away from it a positive attitude going into the 2016 season and we are motivated to get back on track.
“We of course have the support of Traxxas as well as a few other sponsors who came on board with our teams last year and that is giving us that stability we need to do what we love. On top of this we made a few changes on our team and (we) now have Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson as co-crew chiefs and a couple new crew members on board. After our test session in Phoenix this past weekend, and putting some good numbers on the board, we are definitely excited going into the season opener to see what our Traxxas Chevy Camaro can do.”
Looking back on her 2015 season, Force believes that she and the team have learned a lot of lessons that can help return her to her winning ways.
“I think any mistake you make as a driver is only for the better and you can take so much away from that if you choose to look at it with a positive attitude,” said Force. “I can't wait to get back in the swing of things at the start of the season, at my home track in Pomona. I think 2016 will be a great year for our Traxxas Chevy Camaro team and we are ready to make it our year.”
Coverage of the 56th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona starts with qualifying at 10:30 p.m. ET Friday on FS1 and 1 a.m. ET Sunday on FS1. LIVE racing will be shown beginning 5 p.m. ET Sunday on FS1.
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