July 8, 2007

Ashley Force endures roller-coaster ride on television, on the track

BY Allen Gregory
Sports Writer

Ashley Force stepped out of her motor home and walked into a swarm of adoring fans at Bristol Dragway.

Cameras flashed and reporters waited.

Welcome to the fishbowl world of drag racing’s new matinee idol.

The daughter of 14-time National Hot Rod Association champion John Force has experienced a wide range of emotions during her debut season as a Funny Car driver. That roller-coaster ride continued Saturday, when Force failed to qualify for today’s Funny Car eliminations.

"It’s been the most up and down year in my life," Force said. "There’s been a lot of good times and a lot of bad times. I’ll definitely remember this season."

The highlight sequences for Force includes a side-by-side pairing against her father at Atlanta Dragway, a fire at Joliet and a starring role in the reality show "Driving Force."

"I was pretty prepared for the driving part, but that’s just part of this job," Force said. "You always have the media, fans, sponsors and appearances."

Drag racing has long been the business for the Force family. A photo in Ashley’s lounge offers insight into the close connection between father and daughter. John is in a Jolly Rancher fire suit hugging a three-year-old Ashley, who is decked out in a homemade driving uniform.

"It’s fun to look back at those old pictures," Ashley said. "Our entire family was so involved in racing. Mom used to back up the car, mix fuel and load the parachutes. Our uncles, cousins and family friends worked on the car. The business has changed and we’ve come a long way in the sport, but we still have that family connection."

Life is never boring for the Force’s. That’s a big reason why "Driving Force" has been such a hit with both drag racing die-hards and novices. The show is currently on hiatus.

"It’s [the reality show] is something you have to get used to," Force said. "Actually, that was a bigger struggle to me than moving up to Funny Car. A few times we did hide from the cameras, but that was more of a joke with the crew guys.

"They also show my mom and sisters. I might not have lasted if the show was just about my dad and me."

Of course, the main attraction of "Driving Force" are the outbursts of the animated John Force. Producers from several reality shows have been criticized for staging scenes and creating emotion, yet there is nothing scripted with the Force family.

"No. All those arguments are real," Force said.

Drag racing fans didn’t have to wait long before the Funny Car matchup between John and Ashley.

"We knew it was just a matter of time before we matched up. It didn’t come in qualifying or testing, it came in the first round at Atlanta," said Force, who defeated her father. "That was a really neat experience because I had worked with the guys on dad’s team for about 12 years and had known some of them since I was real little."

With a degree in communications from Cal-State Fullerton, Force was somewhat prepared for the hectic pace away from the track. It’s hard to shut off the emotions, however.

"That’s been my biggest surprise, just how emotional this sport can be," Force said.

"When you get out of a race car that just went 330 mph, you’re not going to have a normal conversation. That was a big change to me because in my [Top Alcohol] dragster I could just get out of the car and do a normal interview.

"With this car, I’m having to learn to kind of get myself together and say what I want in normal sentences that make sense instead of just rambling. I’ve learned to calm myself down and adjust to everything as the season has progressed, but it’s been an interesting year."