Courtney Force took another step on becoming one of the most popular drivers in the NHRA's Funny Car division as she scored her second career Funny Car win in just her second year of driving on the professional division. She also took a step in becoming one of the most popular female driver in motorsports.

Force clearly dominated the NHRA Winternationals this past weekend, grabbing the top qualifying spot and the win.

Unfortunately, Force's accomplishment came in second in the sports media race when Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a pole in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series.

Getting beaten in the sport's page didn't bother Courtney. She focused on the positives.

Courtney Force took another step on becoming one of the most popular drivers in the NHRA's Funny Car division as she scored her second career Funny Car win in just her second year of driving on the professional division. She also took a step in becoming one of the most popular female driver in motorsports.

Force clearly dominated the NHRA Winternationals this past weekend, grabbing the top qualifying spot and the win.

Unfortunately, Force's accomplishment came in second in the sports media race when Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a pole in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series.

Getting beaten in the sport's page didn't bother Courtney. She focused on the positives.

“It’s obviously two different types of racing, but it’s cool to see females dominating in the sport. Hopefully she can get a win over there, but it’s pretty cool. I think it definitely shines a light on the NHRA, and hopefully shows we’re doing the same thing,” Force said.

“We’ve got some tough race cars and competitors. We’re going over 300 mph in just four seconds. It’s a little different (than NASCAR), (but) there’s definitely an adrenaline rush over here,” Force said.

“Being a female and going to the top spot and getting the win, it was pretty unbelievable for myself to believe. I hope it definitely opens some people’s eyes to look over at the NHRA and see what we’re doing here.”

Headline or no headline, Force admits her energy level when it comes to racing, both on and off the track rivals that of her legendary father, but like dad she has backed it up with impressive results.

She knocked off one world champion (Matt Hagan) during eliminations and then put together a spectacular pass in the finals against Ron Capps, going 4.025 at 317 mph.

The win means Force is also the first driver to qualify for the prestigious Traxxas Shootout; while giving her added momentum going into this weekend’s race in Phoenix.

The family-minded Force also has put plenty of attention on what her sister, new Top Fuel driver Brittany, and her dad are doing.

Both lost in the first round, but Courtney knows her dad is “going to figure it out soon,” while Brittany has already shown tremendous Top Fuel progress in a short time.

Running in Top Fuel has already made Brittany the fastest Force of all-time – she topped out at 3.82 and 323 mph last weekend – which could create some more interesting female racing headlines in the not-too-distant future.

“Brittany had a great run and she had a career-best run. It was awesome to see her fly down that race track, going faster than me, and I’m fortunate to have my family out here and we all get to race together.”

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