Douglas named crew chief of Courtney Force’s Traxxas Funny Car

While Traxxas will serve as primary sponsor of Courtney’s Ford, the Traxxas name also will appear on the other three Mustangs in the John Force Racing stable, the Castrol GTX HIGH MILEAGE Ford of John Force himself, the Castrol GTX Ford tuned and driven by Mike Neff, and the Automobile Club of Southern California Ford driven by 2009 NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight.  (JFR photo)

Ron Douglas, who helped direct Ashley Force Hood to second and third place finishes and back-to-back Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Funny Car titles in her two most recent seasons in the NHRA’s Full Throttle Series, will try to work the same magic this year with her sister Courtney.

Douglas will serve as lead crew chief on the Traxxas Ford in which 23-year-old Courtney Force, the youngest of John Force’s four daughters, will vie for the Auto Club’s Road to the Future Award which designates the NHRA Rookie of the Year.

Sharing tune-up responsibilities with Douglas will be veteran Scott Wible and a crew consisting of Kyle Darr, Steve Easton, Mark Freidenfelt, Dustin Johnson, Chris Kullberg, Robert Proctor and Brad Robinson. [1/10/2012]

Firebird Raceway receives Division awards

Firebird Raceway In Boise, Idaho, was honored with the Track of the Year award at the NHRA Northwest Division Awards Banquet on Jan. 8 in Seattle. It’s the third time in four years Firebird Raceway has received the award, which is voted by fans, racers, media, and the racing industry. Firebird also received the Northwest Division Team Championship and the National Dragster Division 6 Media award. [1/10/2012]