![\"Courtney](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/C-Force-top-end-min.jpg\")
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There have been rumors swirling for the past few months and now it\u2019s official: NHRA is losing one of its premier Funny Car racers. Courtney Force has elected to step away from driving the John Force Racing Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car.<\/p>\n
The most successful female Funny Car driver, who has been a top 10 finisher in six of her seven seasons of racing, intends to stay involved in the sport, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a personal choice, as I feel I\u2019m ready to see what the next chapter in my life has in store for me, while spending more time with family,\u201d Force said. \u201cI intend to remain involved in the industry I love and continue to work with a few select partners as I go forward in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to have such a successful career at John Force Racing and the privilege of working with so many incredible people while racing against competitors who pushed me to be a better driver.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Courtney](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Courtney-Force-mug-min.jpg\")
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Racing professionally was Courtney Force\u2019s goal from an early age; she\u2019s been incredibly successful at her job, earning 12 victories in only 167 professional races, securing 17 runner-up positions and reaching semifinals on 29 other occasions. She\u2019s earned No. 1 qualifier spots 28 times, including 11 No. 1 positions in her 2018 campaign, which saw the youngest daughter of 16-time Funny Car champion John Force finish sixth in the Countdown to the Championship with four victories.<\/p>\n
\u201cI first have to thank my dad for encouraging me to live out my dream of being a Funny Car driver, while getting to compete against him and learn from the best,\u201d she said of her father, who has a 16-13 record against his youngest daughter, now 30 years old. \u201cI want to thank my family and my husband, Graham, for their support through the highs and lows and to my team for their undeniable will to win and for always keeping me motivated, confident and safe in my race car.\u201d<\/p>\n
In making her exit, Courtney Force also thanked \u201call of my sponsors from the start of my career, with Traxxas and Ford, to now with Advance Auto Parts, Chevrolet, Auto Club, PEAK, Monster, PPG and Mac Tools. I\u2019m grateful for all of your support both on and off the track and the opportunity I had to represent your brands with pride.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finally, Force gave a shout-out to NHRA\u2019s rabid fans: \u201cThank you for all of your support throughout my career. I\u2019m excited to see where this next chapter will take me and I hope to see you all at the track soon.\u201d She has not indicated what the future holds, but she does intend to stay within the racing industry.<\/p>\n
![\"Courtney](\"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/C-Force-burnout-min.jpg\")
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