Photo Credit: AutoWeek
It was another record breaking, history setting weekend for the women of NHRA Pro Drag Racing! For the last couple weeks, we have all been glued to the track — watching and waiting to see who was going to set this great milestone for the women of motorsports in NHRA drag racing. Courtney Force has officially claimed the 100th Pro Win for Women in NHRA drag racing!
This did not come easy. Just the weekend prior, Courtney Force made it to the finals and had a disappointing loss against Robert Hight at the Southern Nationals. However, during the 26th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, Courtney Force and her crew had what it took to make it to victory lane in the Funny Car Class.
“This is huge. You could see the emotion on my face after I lost last weekend. It is a big deal and it is a milestone for women. Every girl out here wanted to get it. It was close every girl put her heart out there to try and get it. I was crushed after last weekend because I thought to myself that opportunity will never come again and that chance to get 100 will be gone forever,” stated Courtney Force in a recent interview.
In addition to claiming the 100th pro win for women in NHRA drag racing and the Funny Car 1st Place Finish; she was also number 1 qualifier in the Funny Car Class and set the track record for low ET and MPH. Brittany Force also had a great weekend, holding down a number 1 qualifier spot in Top Fuel. This was the first time in history that two sisters have claimed number 1 spots in NHRA drag racing. It also was the first time that Brittany Force held the number 1 qualifier position.
Now remember, there would not be a 100th Pro Win by Women in NHRA Drag Racing if it wasn’t for the first! The 100 wins are collectively from 14 women racers, including: Shirley Muldowney who claimed the very 1st female win in Top Fuel in 1976, Lucille Lee, Lori Johns, Shelly Anderson, Angelle Sampey who actually has the most wins –41, Cristen Powell, Karen Stoffer, Melanie Troxel, Peggy Llewellyn, Ashley Force Hood, Hillary Will, Eric Enders-Stevens, Alexis Dejoria and Courtney Force.
*Cheers* to this great milestone in NHRA Drag Racing and here’s to many more!
