This weekend’s Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway fall during the same week that second-year funny car driver Courtney Force landed on the cover of ESPN The Magazine. Force, 25, a daughter of NHRA legend John Force’s, posed nude with strategically placed racing props including a large rear tire, a parachute and a fuel can.
Courtney, the reigning NHRA rookie of the year who has four career event victories, including two this year, is supported by virtually everyone in the series, top fuel veteran driver Brandon Bernstein said.
“I think it’s great for the sport and her image, her brand,” Bernstein said Thursday from the event’s kickoff luncheon at a downtown restaurant. “It’s done tasteful and it’s ESPN, and something spectacular. I’m happy she got the cover, and it gives our sport exposure to more than (a typical) ‘SportsCenter’ audience. For us to be on ‘SportsCenter,’ you have to do something spectacular, blow up or crash. So this is something that’s going to give us more exposure on the other side of it.”
Bernstein attended the luncheon with fellow Dodge-driving competitors Johnny Gray (funny car) and Matt Hagan (funny car), Spencer Massey (top fuel) and pro stock teammates Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin.
Force is seventh in the funny car points standings, and her two wins are tied for third most.
“Hats off to her for that, feather in her cap for doing it,” said Hagan, funny car’s points leader. “It was very tasteful. Obviously she’s not shy.”
Back from back injury. Bernstein has been out for six weeks, missing three races, after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. J.R. Todd drove in his absence, but Bernstein fell out of the top 10 in the driver points. He is returning with slight numbness in his right foot, but said it doesn’t affect his ability to work the pedals.
No Gray area. Gray, 60, previously announced this will be his final full season in funny car. The New Mexico businessman has a series-high four victories and is second in the points behind Hagan. Gray has competed in five classes at Bandimere, beginning in 1993 in pro stock.
He is donning a special foundation on his car this weekend: Alex’s Lemonade Stand. The foundation is named after Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who died in 2004 of cancer. In 2000 at age 4, Alex opened a lemonade stand in her front yard to raise money to fight children’s cancer.
“Humbling to see that take place and fun to be involved,” Gray said.
First to 200 mph? Johnson and Coughlin are the favorites to become the first pro stock drivers to reach 200 mph at Bandimere. Johnson holds the division’s track record of 198.70 mph, established a year ago when he won the division crown for the fourth time in six consecutive final-round appearances.
“We love this place, love the Bandimere family,” said Johnson, who frequently has tested at Bandimere and owns nine of the top 10 speeds ever produced at the high-altitude track.
Coughlin, who has usually raced for his own team, partnered with Johnson in the offseason and tested at Bandi- mere for the two-car team last week, giving him and Johnson a head start.
Footnotes. Mopar and Bandimere are celebrating their 25th anniversary in one of the longest sponsorship relationships in American motorsports. Mopar is the parts division of Dodge. … Track owner John Bandimere Jr. is 75 and the speedway is in its 55th season.
NHRA Mopar Mile-High Nationals
What: 34th national event at Bandimere Speedway, and 14th of the 24 events in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series
Where: Bandimere Speedway, Morrison
When: Friday through Sunday
Schedule: Friday — Pro qualifying 5:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. (two sessions); Saturday — Pro qualifying 1:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. (two sessions); Sunday — Eliminations 11 a.m.
Television: 6 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2 (taped qualifying highlights); 4 p.m. Sunday, ESPN2 (taped eliminations)
Defending winners: Antron Brown (top fuel), Jack Beckman (funny car), Allen Johnson (pro stock), Eddie Krawiec (pro stock motorcycle)
Most victories: Bob Glidden, 7, PS; Joe Amato, 6, TF; John Force, 6, FC; Warren Johnson, 5, PS; Allen Johnson, 4, PS
Track records: Top fuel — 3.862 seconds by Antron Brown, July ’09; 318.39 mph by Brown, July ’09. Funny car — 4.095 seconds by Cruz Pedregon, July ’11; 307.51 mph by Pedregon, July ’11. Pro stock — 6.916 seconds by Allen Johnson, July ’12; 198.70 mph by Johnson, July ’12. Pro stock motorcycle — 7.237 seconds by Hector Arana Jr., July ’12; 186.54 mph by Ryan Schnitz, July ’05.
Tickets: 800-664-UWIN (8946) or bandimere.com
Article source: http://www.denverpost.com/motorsports/ci_23689298/funny-car-driver-courtney-force-poses-nude-espn