Courtney Force will drive the Advance Auto Parts-branded Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car in 2017, as part of a multiyear agreement.
The longtime motorsports and NHRA-involved company will replace Traxxas, which has not announced whether its contributions will continue in next year’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Traxxas also has sponsored the Top Fuel and Funny Car bonus races during the U.S. Nationals.
“I am thrilled to be driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car,” Force said at the announcement and unveiling of the new body Friday morning at the John Force Racing organization’s facility at Brownsburg, Ind.
“Last season we made some big strides toward our first championship,” she said, “and I am very confident in my team and my crew chiefs that next season can be even better. I love the look of this red, yellow, and black Camaro, and I can’t wait to get it into the winners circle.”
John Force, the 16-time Funny Car champion had the Advance Auto Parts logo on both sides of his PEAK Camaro this year during the NHRA SpringNationals at Houston. He didn’t win that race, but Courtney Force did to take the points lead.
At that time, John Force said, “We are working with a lot of companies through PEAK, and it is great to be growing this program.”
Advance Auto Parts adorned his Camaro again at Charlotte as the Countdown to the Championship kicked off, and he did win that event.
In the past, Advance Auto Parts has sponsored races at Atlanta and Topeka and will be the presenting sponsor in February at Chandler, Ariz.’s Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the second event of the 2017 season. Advance Auto Parts also has funded such nitro-class drivers as Cruz Pedregon, Dave Grubnic, and JR Todd
At Friday’s news conference, John Force said, “The opportunity came to grow the deal, and they were interested in Courtney. So it was a perfect match. I have done shows with Advance Auto Parts in the past and am looking forward to working with them again.”
Walter Scott, chief marketing officer with Advance Auto Parts, said, “we are proud to be partnering with Courtney force and the John Force Racing team for the 2017 season and beyond. After working with [them] last year through our partnership with PEAK, we got to know Courtney and felt she would be a great ambassador for our company. Our team members and customers love NHRA drag racing, and we can’t wait to see the Advance Auto Parts Funny Car on the track in 2017.”
Next year’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule will begin with the Feb. 9-12 Circle K Winternationals at Pomona, Calif.
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