Courntey Force with Traxxas President Mike Jenkins. Image credit: NHRA.com/National Dragster

Courtney Force, the youngest of 15-time champion John Force’s four daughters and who has spent the last four seasons learning both the on and off-track aspects of professional drag racing, will finally get a chance to show what she can do on the big stage as the driver of an 8,000 horsepower Ford Mustang Funny Car sponsored by Traxxas, the world leader in ready-to-run radio-controlled vehicles.

Courtney, 23, will make her professional driving debut Feb. 9-12 in the 52nd annual Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. and will compete for NHRA Rookie of the Year honors.

“For Traxxas, Courtney represents more than just a female driver on the track. The family that she comes from has been racing and she’s been a part of racing all of her life. She’s not just another girl at the racetrack, she’s a girl that has real DNA and John Force DNA embedded in her and it shows,” said Mike Jenkins Traxxas president. “Take a couple of minutes and talk with Courtney; you’ll see the competitiveness that comes out in that girl. She’s going to represent our company and our brand. She’s been a top pick for us for a very long time- we’re proud to have her on.”

After winning her first NHRA national event in Top Alcohol Dragster in 2009 and earning “Top Agent” honors in the marketing contest that fueled Ford’s Fiesta Movement introduction in 2010, Courtney spent the better part of last season testing in a Ford Mustang Funny Car following selected Full Throttle tour events.

“Courtney proved she has the same competitive drive that’s made her father successful, working her way through the Super Comp and Top Alcohol Dragster ranks,” said Jamie Allison, Director of Ford Racing.

“We’ve only seen a small portion of what she’s capable of achieving,” Allison continued, “(and) we’re happy to welcome her officially as a member of the One Ford Funny Car team in 2012. It’s something we’ve all anticipated and we are very excited and happy to have her on the Ford team.”

Courtney with newly-named crew chief Ron Douglas. Image credit: NHRA.com/National Dragster

In preparation for her debut in Pomona, Courtney will continue to test her new Traxxas Ford Mustang this month at the Palm Beach International Raceway in Florida. Ron Douglas, who tuned Ashley Force-Hood to second and third place points finishes and a pair of Mac Tools U.S. Nationals crowns, has been named crew chief for Courtney’s rookie run, and will share tuning responsibilities with veteran Scott Wible.

“The preparation of the car is our No. 1 priority,” Douglas said. “We want to make sure the product is right before we ever take it to the starting line. We make sure the car is prepared properly and safely – that’s priority one. Then we’ll decide how we want to attack the racetrack.”

Like older sister Ashley, Courtney developed her career path to the professional ranks much in the same way, taking an auto shop elective in high school, graduating from Cal-State Fullerton in Communications, and honing her skills in Super Comp and Top Alcohol Dragster before spending a full season testing a fuel Funny Car.