Ashley Force – American Race Car Driver

October 8, 2008

By cool-chicks.com

Ashley Force was born on November 29, 1982, in Yorba Linda, California. The daughter of well-known drag-racing driver John Force, Ashley grew up in a testosterone-fueled household and was encouraged to follow in the footsteps of her famous dad. By the time she was in high school, Ashley Force had established herself as a bona fide tomboy and started to pursue a career as a race car mechanic. She was one of the few females to enroll in her school’s auto shop and welding classes, but that was clearly not enough since Ashley Force decided to give racing a shot of her own.

ashley force works her way up the ranks

Determined to avoid accusations of riding her father’s coattails, Ashley Force started her career at the very bottom of the industry by competing within the junior Top Alcohol circuit. She quickly made an indelible impact on the notoriously competitive scene, and Ashley Force impressively managed to emerge victorious at several races during her first year as a driver. After ultimately finishing 2004 in fourth place, Ashley Force had effectively set herself apart from her father and was quickly earning the respect of some of the industry’s most grizzled veterans.

ashley force on driving force

Ashley Force’s increased exposure, as well as the up-and-coming careers of her racing sisters, Brittany and Courtney, caught the eye of executives at the A&E network, and the family agreed to participate in a reality series that revolved around their hectic lives. Entitled Driving Force, the show followed family patriarch John Force as he attempted to balance his thriving career with the needs of his daughters. Ashley Force quickly proved to be a standout on the program, as her competitive personality seemed tailor-made for a contemporary reality show.

ashley force competes against her father john force

Over the next few years, Ashley Force’s domination within the Top Alcohol circuit made her a prime candidate for the sport’s Funny Car division and, in 2007, she joined her father’s team, John Force Racing. Ashley Force found herself pitted against her own family right from her very first match, as she went head-to-head against her brother-in-law Robert Hight in a race that he ultimately won.

In April of 2007, Ashley Force and her father entered the National Hot Rod Association’s history books after they became the first father and daughter to compete in the same race. Ashley Force stunned both herself and her fans by conquering her old man in the match, with her father later commenting, “I’ve dreamed of this day for a long time, and it makes me emotional to think it finally came true. She’s a great young driver and she’s probably gonna whip me a bunch, but I’m OK with it because she’s my baby.”

Later that year, Ashley Force broke more records after she became the first woman to compete in a national series Funny Car final. Her career path set, Ashley Force has certainly managed to overcome any questions of nepotism to establish herself as one of the most talented and tenacious competitors within the crowded field.