Courtney Force avoided what could have been a disastrous outcome in the first round of eliminations the 2009 Northwest Nationals.

Racing alongside Mike Austin, her right rear Goodyear tire exploded tearing a portion of her Ford Racing A Fuel Dragster’s rear wing off. She managed to keep her dragster off the guard wall and out of Austin’s lane. For the third year TAD driver it was the culmination of many hours of practice, visualization and conversations with her father and teammates.

Courtney Force avoided what could have been a disastrous outcome in the first round of eliminations the 2009 Northwest Nationals.

Racing alongside Mike Austin, her right rear Goodyear tire exploded tearing a portion of her Ford Racing A Fuel Dragster’s rear wing off. She managed to keep her dragster off the guard wall and out of Austin’s lane. For the third year TAD driver it was the culmination of many hours of practice, visualization and conversations with her father and teammates.

“I am trying to come back to Seattle and get another win under my belt. I was hoping this was my lucky track but maybe not. We always have fun coming out here and racing. Once I hit the throttle and went down the track I was so close to the finish line and I was trying to get around Mike Austin,” said Force.” I thought I was coming close and then I thought, ‘Man I am having some really bad tire shake.’ I let off (the throttle) and I realized my tire was off. I instantly knew my tire had come off. I could smell it. I was tilted sideways in the cockpit of my car and I was just driving it with one arm, getting my chutes out and shutting  everything off. I was pulling on the brake to get it stopped as fast as I could. I didn’t want to go over into his lane and I didn’t want to hit the wall. I was doing the best I could.”

Forces dragster was all over her lane but never crossed the center line or came close to the guard wall. It appeared to be totally under control for Force as she battled to avert disaster.

“It pulled it hard once the tire came off. As soon as I realized what happened I pulled it to the left but I didn’t want to pull it so hard that it took me into the wall. I know that is something that can easily happen. You have to know how far to turn it before you are headed for the wall. I had to pull it just enough. I am not that great of a driver. I think my instincts took over and I just did what I could. I am just glad no one got hurt,” said Force.

By the time the 22 year old Cal State Fullerton Communications major stopped at the top end and hopped out here 14-time championship father and her mother pulled up beside her thanks to a near record setting run on Force’ omnipresent scooter.

“I think my dad clocked out the (scooter). The next thing I know I am getting out of the car and he is already down there. I was telling him I was fine. I am fine. My poor mom this is what I get her for her birthday.”

“For the seat time we are getting considering we are still in school it is hard. Dad will tell us about tire shake and what happens in an emergency but you can’t do anything until you have been through it. Honestly I was waiting for my time. All my sisters and my dad have all had crashes. I just have to know what to do when something goes wrong. I thought that I did.”

When a reporter questioned her self-deprecating description of her driving skills Force was quick to clarify.

 “I am not horrible I just think that I am not a professional out here. I haven’t been doing it for 30 years. I am still new to it. I am still learning. I think everything that I have learned and everything that my dad and sister have taught. It all set in the second I had a problem. I have been around these cars to know so I can imagine what things feel like but you just have to figure it out when it happens as quickly as possible.”