Courtney Force on National Teen Outreach Program

 DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 20, 2013—In just a year of competition among the best race car drivers in world, Courtney Force has established herself as a smart, focused competitor on the track and a solid role model away from it.

Now Force, straight from the winners circle of the famed 53^rd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, and Ford Driving Skills for Life are happy to announce the 24-year-old former high school cheerleader from Yorba Linda, Calif. will continue to serve as spokesperson for Ford’s nationwide teen safe driving program for the third year in a row.

“I am really excited to be working with Ford Driving Skills for Life for my third year,” said Force, who will participate in a monthly radio show, write blogs for www.DrivingSkillsforLife.com and attend a special conference in the fall. “Last year I know we reached a lot of teens and hopefully they got the message about practicing safe driving. This year we are going to continue to try and get this important message to as many teens and parents as possible.

Ford DSFL’s National Tour will be in the Los Angeles area March 2-3, 2013. To sign up, visit https://www.drivingskillsforlife.com.

“I focus on being the safest driver I can behind the wheel of my Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car at 300 mph, as well as my Mustang on the street,” Force said. “There are so many distractions on the road and I really want to work with as many people as possible to make sure that everyone is safe on the road and doing what they can to practice these driving skills.”

Ford DSFL helps young drivers improve their skills in four key areas: 1) Hazard Recognition; 2) Vehicle Handling; 3) Speed Management; and 4) Space Management, as well as a special focus on distracted driving. The award-winning program was established by Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway Safety Association and a panel of safety experts in 2003 to teach newly licensed teens the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what they learn in standard driver education programs.

“We're proud to have Courtney on board as spokesperson for Ford DSFL for the third year in a row," said Jim Graham, manager, Community Relations, Ford Driving Skills for Life. "Courtney has proven to be an outstanding role model on and off the race track and teenagers really respond to her. We're happy to welcome her back for 2013."

Force worked her way up through the lower ranks of the National Hot Rod Association before earning her seat in the professional ranks in her Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car. The reigning Rookie of the Year and 2012 NEXT ESPN The Magazine athlete to watch will compete fulltime in the 24-race NHRA Mello Yello Series this year, regularly reaching more than 300 mph on the 1,000-foot, straight-line drag racing tracks.