NHRA FUNNY CAR ROOKIES

NHRA FUNNY CAR ROOKIES DEJORIA AND FORCE MEET NATIONAL MOTORSPORTS MEDIA DURING NASCAR SPRINT MEDIA TOUR IN CHARLOTTE

CONCORD, N.C. – NHRA introduced two of the most intriguing rookie drivers in the history of the sport to the national motorsports media today during a press conference conducted as part of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway. The legendary multi-purpose motorsports facility annually hosts two NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events  at its spectacular zMAX Dragway.

Rookie Funny Car drivers Alexis DeJoria and Courtney Force, both an important part of NHRA’s Nitro Generation theme for 2012, joined NHRA President Tom Compton during the season-preview press event, which was held in front of more than 100 of the nation’s top motorsports journalists.

DeJoria, daughter of famed entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria, will drive the Tequila Patron Toyota Camry and Force, youngest daughter of 15-time NHRA world champ John Force, will pilot the Traxxas Ford Mustang. The two drivers will be among the top contenders for the prestigious Auto Club Road to the Future Award, which annually recognizes NHRA’s top performing rookie driver.

“It was a little overwhelming to meet with all the media. I was glad I was with Alexis. We were able to talk about our dreams and how we came up through the ranks as well as what it is like to be a female racing at over 300 mph. I am looking forward to getting on the track at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in a couple of weeks.,” said Courtney Force. “We just wrapped up testing yesterday in West Palm Beach. I am learning a lot about driving Funny Cars from my dad and I have also learned a lot about the media from watching all his interviews. I don’t think I can be as entertaining but I do enjoy talking about NHRA and getting behind the wheel of my Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car.”

The two drivers fielded questions from reporters about the challenges and expectations for their upcoming seasons and posed for photographs alongside a specially-wrapped Funny Car that featured the NHRA Nitro Generation design. NHRA also showed a high-energy video to the media that focused on the thrilling 300-mph performances, powerful side-by-side racing and close finishes that make NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing one of the most intense motorsports attractions on the planet. 

Later in the afternoon many of the journalists attending the week-long media tour will participate in an NHRA Full Throttle Media Challenge Drag Race at zMAX Dragway. Media members will race in identically-prepared street-ready Ford Mustangs and DeJoria and Force will serve as driving coaches. DeJoria and Force also will race in the stock Mustangs in an exhibition prior to the media challenge race.

The highly-anticipated rookie battle begins Feb. 9-12 at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. The tradition-rich race is the first of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series for 2012. Tickets are available at www.NHRATIX.com or by calling (800) 884-NHRA (6472).

JFR EXTENDS TESTING BY TWO DAYS

JFR EXTENDS TESTING BY TWO DAYS

(Palm Beach, FL) January 24, 2012 — After the 2^nd annual PRO Winter Warm-Ups testing session came to a close Saturday, team owner John Force planned on staying an additional day to test but on Monday he made the decision to stay at Palm Beach International Raceway and test for two additional days. Monday was spent making several laps down the track with Force, Robert Hight, Courtney Force and Brittany Force in the JFR BrandSource Top Fuel dragster all getting extended track time. Tuesday was tacked onto the schedule primarily to concentrate on the Traxxas Mustang Funny Car, rookie driver Courtney Force, her new team and the kinks that come with a brand new car.

“Testing is important, especially with all of the new people and teams we have coming into our operation this year with Courtney’s Traxxas Mustang Funny Car. We have a new driver and a new team and they just need more time to develop their routine. This is really a learning curve for all of us and we’re learning things everyday- that’s the important thing. We went through the same thing with Ashley in 2007. We just want to be as ready as possible for the Winternationals in Pomona.”

Force pulled in all JFR crew chiefs to help strengthen the Traxxas Mustang Funny Car. Together, all are working on the set-up of the car, team-building and driver instruction. The additional sets of eyes and hands are already paying off as turn-around time and pre-stage routines are becoming more fluid for the young team.

“Everyone is working really hard. This is like boot camp, especially for the new guys, but we’re going to stay here until we accomplish what we came here to do,” added Force.