Courtney “Cuts to the top” in NHRA Funny Car

May 02, 2016 // NHRA Event FC Results // editor

Courtney Force, driving the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS, won the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway for her first Funny Car victory since St. Louis on Sept. 28, 2014.

Force, who earned her eighth career Funny Car win in her 101st event, is now tied with race runner-up Tim Wilkerson for first in points through six rounds of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

(Courtney Force moved into a tie with Tim Wilkerson for the Mello Yello FC points)

(With her event win –Courtney Force moved into a tie with Tim Wilkerson for the 2016 Mello Yello FC points lead)

Her sister, Brittany Force, a two-time winner this season in the Monster Energy Chevrolet Dragster, retained the Top Fuel points lead following the event in Baytown, Texas.

“It’s amazing to get this win,” said Courtney Force, who advanced to the final round for the 15th time in her Funny Car career. “It seems a lot harder than the first one and took a lot longer, but definitely worth it. I felt we fought hard and it definitely feels good to win here in Texas. I’m going to cherish this moment for a long time.”

No. 3 qualifier Force, who has qualified in the top four the past five races, had a pass of 3.913 seconds at 327.90 mph in the final to best the top qualifier (3.943). Force, who is the fifth female Pro winner this season, tied her sister Ashley Force Hood with 105 career round wins.

(Tim Wilkerson set low ET of the event with a career best 3.899 secs during qualifying)

“Congratulations to Courtney Force of John Force Racing and Greg Anderson of KB Racing for their victories in the NHRA SpringNationals,” Chevrolet Racing NHRA program manager Roger Allen said. “Courtney has displayed such consistency this season in the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, and it came to fruition at Houston with her first victory of the year – and first in a Camaro — and eight of her Funny Car career.

Event Essentials: NHRA Spring Nationals (April 29-May 1st, 2016)

	NAME	ET	MPH	CAREER WIN

Winner:	Courtney Force	3.913	327.90	8th
R/UP:	Tim Wilkerson	3.943	323.81
Low ET:	Tim Wilkerson	3.899
Top Speed:	Del Worsham		328.06
Bump Spot:		11.34
Event Entries:	16 Cars

(Matt Hagan ran this special Pennzoil edition Dodge at Houston – he qualified #9 but lost in round #2)

(Living legend John Force represented associate sponsor Advance Auto Parts at the Houston event)

Posted with files by Judy Dominick Bruce Biegler
Photos courtesy of NHRA and Gary Nastase

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