HOLLYWOOD, CA (November 13, 2012) --- The rookie season for Courtney Force culminated last night at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood with her Traxxas Ford Mustang crew winning the coveted 2012 Full Throttle Hard Working Crew Award in the Funny Car category. Force’s Traxxas Ford Mustang team led by crew chief Ron Douglas and assistant crew chief Dan Hood was nominated for their winning performance in Seattle after qualifying 14th for the NHRA Northwest Nationals.
“This is a great award for our Traxxas Ford Mustang team. It is really a reflection on the whole JFR organization. John Force gave us a lot of support throughout the season and when we needed it, all the crew guys from the Castrol teams and Auto Club team helped us out,” said crew chief Ron Douglas. “The win in Seattle was big because we didn’t have out best qualifying weekend but on race day my Traxxas guys really pulled together and we gave Courtney the best Mustang we could. She did the rest. I am just so proud of the entire team and I want to thank Full Throttle for sponsoring this award.”
This was the third consecutive Hard Working Crew for John Force Racing. Last year Robert Hight’s Auto Club took the $25,000 prize for their efforts in Topeka and in 2010 it was Ashley Force Hood’s Castrol GTX crew coming out on top for guiding her to back-to-back Mac Tools US Nationals wins.
“I want to thank my crew guys and Ron and Danny first of all then I want to give a huge thanks to all our awesome fans. I had such an amazing rookie season and every time I went out to the ropes it was so special to spend time with the fans,” said Force. “My dad told me from the very beginning you have to take care of the fans, the sponsors and the media. I want to thank Traxxas, Castrol, Auto Club, Ford, BrandSource and Mac Tools because they supported me throughout the season as well and I would have had the success I had this season without them.”
Force’s Traxxas crew helped her reach four finals this season and win in Seattle. They were also No. 1 qualifier twice (Indianapolis and Dallas) and qualified for every race this season.
Previous Full Throttle Award Winners
2006 - John Force, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, NHRA Full Throttle Pit Crew Challenge winner, recognizing the most consistently quick teams during qualifying throughout the year
2007 - Jack Beckman, Mail Terminal Services Dodge, NHRA Full Throttle Pit Crew Challenge winner, recognizing the most consistently quick teams during qualifying throughout the year
2008 - Ashley Force Hood, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, NHRA Full Throttle Pit Crew Challenge winner, recognizing the most consistently quick teams during qualifying throughout the year
2009 – Ashley Force Hood, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, Quest for the Full Throttle Moment winner, recognizing the season's most unforgettable moments in each pro category. Force Hood won for her historic Funny Car win at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
2010 - Ashley Force Hood, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang crew, Full Throttle Hard Working Crew winner, for their efforts to win back to back Mac Tools US Nationals
2011 - Robert Hight, Auto Club Ford Mustang crew, Full Throttle Hard Working Crew winner, for their efforts in rallying to win after crew member injury and advanced to final round
2012 – Courtney Force, Traxxas Ford Mustang crew, Full Throttle Hard Working Crew winner, for their efforts in advancing to final round at Seattle after qualifying 14th.
