Ashley Force Is My New Danica Patrick

That's it. She's done it.

Ashley Force has officially stolen my heart.

Named "Hottest Athlete" just last year here on AOL, the drag racer Force won her first-ever NHRA Funny Car event late last month in Atlanta (yeah, take that, Danica!). With that, she officially stole the No. 1 spot in my heart among racing chicks. Here's why:

1) She's smokin' a whole lot more than tires: Face it, Ashley Force is much, much hotter than Danica Patrick and Sports Illustrated can ever make her out to be.

To me, Ashley has just got "it", while Danica was center stage for awhile because she was the best looking female available to racing fans' eyes when she jumped on scene in the IndyCar series. Ms. Force just deadened that thought.

Here's my vote for the next racing girl in the Swimsuit Issue to be of the drag racing variety.

All About Ashley

Ashley Force pulls off something no other female driver has ever done in history. The NHRA driver tops her father John on Sunday in the Southern Nationals to become the first woman to win a national Funny Car event.

Auto Imagery / AP

Force ran the quarter mile in 4.837 seconds at 320.36 mph in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang to deny her dad his 1,000th career round win. "It's great for her that she gets that win and gets that out of the way," said John Force.

Auto Imagery / AP

The 24-year-old Force accomplishes the feat less than a year after she was the overwhelming choice of AOL Sports readers in our Hottest Athlete Tournament. She credited her dedicated fans for driving her to the title.

NHRA / AP

According to Force Racing Web site, Ashley is the 10th woman in NHRA history to earn a license to compete in the Funny Car division. In Top Alcohol, she won five NHRA national events.

Gary Nastase Photography

Ashley and John Force made NHRA history in 2007 when they became the first father and daughter to race against each other. Ashley won then too, with a top speed of 317.05 mph.

Mark J. Rebilas, US Presswire

Her signature victory came at the 2004 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, where she took the title in the Top Alcohol division.

NHRA

Force placed in the top 10 in national points in each of her three seasons in Top Alcohol Dragster, according to johnforceracing.com.

Mark J. Rebilas, US Presswire

The Force family is legendary in the world of drag racing: From left, mother Laurie, sister Courtney, father John, Ashley and sister Brittany.

A&E

Force grew up in California and lists her hobbies as movies, video production, shopping, kickboxing and spending time with family and friends.

John Sciulli, WireImage.com

2) Her win last month wasn't a surprise: When Danica won her first IndyCar race in Japan, the sports world was shocked. When Ashley Force beat her dad in the funny car final in Atlanta -- to keep him from his 1,000-career win, nonetheless -- the racing world applauded her, but didn't make a fanatical deal about it.

Why? Well, its been obvious for a while now Ashley is more than ready to continue a successful drag racing career in the NHRA. The previous two events before her win, she moved up the elimination ladder all the way to the finals each time.

Oh, and the fact that she is leading all other Funny Car drivers -- including her 14-time champion dad -- in the point standings says a little something, doesn't it?

3) She doesn't have the Danica attitude: There's really nothing worse than watching an IndyCar race that Danica doesn't win because undoubtedly ESPN will find a way to get a dejected Danica on air. And once she's there, she doesn't stop the complaining.

Of course, it all comes with quite the everyone-should-bow-down-to-me attitude -- similar to that of an irritated Tony Stewart.

I'm yet to see that with Ashley, even after she has involved in a particularly nasty crash. [Catch her interview at 4:07]

She takes her licks, thanks her team, and tries to move on. That's a racer.

Danica Patrick

Race driver Danica Patrick waits for the start of practice on the first day of qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 10, 2008. An accident Friday occurred in the pits, where Dale Coyne Racing crewman Charles Buckman was knocked to the ground by the front wing of Danica Patrick's car as she drove into her pit. Buckman, who was walking through the pits, was taken to the hospital with a concussion and cuts to his face and scalp. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Driver Danica Patrick sits on the pit lane wall at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis before the qualification session May 10, 2008. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Driver Danica Patrick laughs while talking with her crew during practice time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis before the qualification session May 10, 2008. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Charles Buckman, a crewman for Dale Coyne Racing, is treated by crewman and emergency personnel after he was struck by a car driven by Danica Patrick as she returned to her pit during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2008. He was taken to Methodist Hospital with a concussion and lacerations. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)

Danica Patrick walks out of the pit area after her car struck a crewman from Dale Coyne Racing during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2008. Patrick was returning to her pit when her car struck Charles Buckman. He was taken to Methodist Hospital with a concussion and lacerations. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)

Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, leads teammate Danica Patrick through the first turn during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2008. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Danica Patrick heads through the first turn during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 9, 2008. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 9: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, during practice for the IRL IndyCar Series 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 9, 2008 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gavin Lawrence/Getty Images)

Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 9: Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 Motorola Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, looks on during practice for the IRL IndyCar Series 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 9, 2008 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gavin Lawrence/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Driver Danica Patrick leans on the pit lane wall during practice time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis May 9, 2008 ahead of Indianapolis 500 qualifications on May 10. REUTERS/Geoff Miller (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

4-29-2008 @ 11:48AM

Bernie said...

WOW! This chick is smokin hot!

4-29-2008 @ 12:05PM

Don Emerson said...

Oh yeah,she's a hottie fer shore. I've been watching her on her Dad's TV show and she is the real deal. I can't help but wonder about her win though since it was against her Dad. She would have won a race eventually anyway, but I think maybe Dad smoked his tires at the start on purpose. Unfortunately for her, publcity wise she is in the wrong sport. Even the beach volleyball girls get more press than the ladies of drag racing. Be that as it may, hats off to her for her accomplishments so far, and hats off to her Dad for raising such a fine young lady. Works for me....

4-30-2008 @ 9:12AM

chiefleroy71220 said...

I think she is hot and anyone that follows drag racing knows it is not easy winning at the top levels.I do not believe tha Pops let her win as he is in the points race like everyone else.Believe the should be more women in all motorsports.
Richars

4-30-2008 @ 9:50AM

mikco said...

I've met Ashley a few times over the years when I go to the races with my friends team. Before Funny Car, she used to pit near us. What a sweet, polite young lady! I am happy for her recent success and hope for many more. If you follow drag racing, you know that John wouldn't throw a race for the Lord Himself. It's just not his nature. GO ASHLEY!!

5-01-2008 @ 7:58PM

George said...

You are such a dork Buster,Ashley makes Danica look like Rosie O'donnell. And since when is drag racing not a sport dimwit? You are bound to win a race in three years when there are 18 drivers,the flat-chested and no arse woman got lucky once.

5-02-2008 @ 2:19AM

anzajoe said...

GEORGE, or whoever , DANICA spent 1 year at LETTERMAN RAYHAL racing and last year she jumped to
ANDRETTI/GREEN RACING. This is her 2nd year at AN.GR.RCG. and the competition only begun few weeks ago.THE 1st year she only posted i top10,2 top5.
At ANDRETTI team she got a bunch of top 5's including atop 4th at INDIANAPOLIS. Some drivers would pay top $$ for a top5 at indyanapolis. Some other ones would pay milions for a WIN AT INDIANAPOLIS.About her chest take a good look at her swim suit pictures promotions in the related magazine. She is at least size 40C or 40D.
OH, while ya are looking keep your right hand away
from your pants.

5-02-2008 @ 10:10PM

art said...

shes a hot chick in an american car love it

5-04-2008 @ 8:58PM

Mr. Lee said...

Ashely Force is one hell of a race car driver, and she has everything in her that she needs to succeed.

5-04-2008 @ 9:00PM

LINDA said...

Ashley is (AWESOME) I love all the FORCES ! She's on her way !!!!! I was in a flood last year and lost all my FORCE collection and they took the time out of their busy lives to sign and send me their signed pictures ! I would almost give my right arm to be able to meet JOHN again. I met him at a drag strip here and he was AWESOME then..........LOVE YOU ASHLEY KEEP ON GOING GIRL !!!! LindanRockfordIll.

5-05-2008 @ 7:51AM

travis russell said...

Danica Patrick was too skinny to be hot.Ashley will burn in my heart forever.I just hope nothing changes when John retires from driving.I do believe he needs to let her be.I'm sure she does'nt want him in her face forever,at the strip that is.It's better she does this for herself first.Take care of numero uno.

travis

5-06-2008 @ 6:33PM

Linda said...

How can you even compare Ashley to Danica? Two totally different styles and forms of racing. I would never take away Danica's win. She worked just as hard if not harder than anyone else on the circuit, but I have to say that NHRA drag racing is a whole different world.
For a woman to get to the level that Ashley is at is a true testament to her talents. There are alot of men that can't do what she does. The speed alone is unreal and the g-force would knock you on your ass. If you've never experienced a drag racing event you should go to one. It is beyond description!! All of the drivers are so accessable to the fans unlike all the drivers in other forms of racing that you can't get near. It is so heart warming to see the kids in awe of their favorite drivers.
The comraderie among the drivers and crews is something that you don't see in any other sport. It is truly a family among racing teams.
To Ashley, all I have to say is, "You go girl", you have talent beyond your years, maybe beyond your Dad. Don't let what the skeptics have to say bother you. Only the true drag racing fan knows that John Force would NEVER throw a race for anyone. Even his little girl.

5-05-2008 @ 10:58AM

Linda,
I was not trying to take her win away.I love Danica.
I do get tired of them making sex symbols out of every female driver that comes along.And there is no comparison between the two,but you have to admit they
are a couple of great athletes.Even if Danica is a little skinny.Have you seen her swimsuit photos.I wish they would'nt do that.

5-06-2008 @ 3:55PM

nick said...

i just met ashley at the eleminations and finals in st. louis and she did good and she realy hot, danicas cool to but shes extremely skinny, as ashley isnt, and ashley s got the talent and her dads dna to do great and so far she is.

5-06-2008 @ 11:35AM

MAN ! I'M SOOOOOOOOO SICK OF DANICA I COULD THROW UP ! SHE'S LIVES IN THE SAME TOWN I DO AND I THINK SHE'S A LITTLE STUCK UP B---- ! SHE THINKS SHE'S SO HOT ! ASHLEY IS A GREAT GIRL AND HAS THE RIGHT ATTITUDE ! SO GO ASHLEY GO !!!!!!! LINDANROCKFORDILL.

5-06-2008 @ 1:38PM

I met John probably 25 years ago at a little drag strip here called Byron Dragway a little crappy track that used to bring in all those guys like The Snake, Blue Max,Shirley Muldowny,Big Daddy and of course John.....And thgat's when you could stand by the fence and watch em do their burn outs and stuff it was great. I want to see Ashley go that far too!She's got a great teacher HER DAD ! I'm glad to see there's another FORCE to be reckoned with....LINDANROCKFORDIL.

5-07-2008 @ 3:41PM

This is not about a womans shape and size. It doesn't matter if she is skinny, fat, chesty or not. Danica has accomplished something that few women have and as Ashley so graciously stated, "Congradulations, it's always great when a woman wins no matter what form of racing it is."
The drag racing family is one of a kind and are always giving praise to one another, not putting them down, and blaming others when they don't win. It is truly an unbeleivable thing to witness when your there. If you've never been, do yourself a favor and go. Enjoy the comraderie, the family of fans. Ashleys father, John Force, is a true icon in the art of Drag Racing.
See you at Englishtown. I CAN'T WAIT!! As they say, "There's nothing like the smell of nitro in the morning." Linda in ME

5-10-2008 @ 5:14PM

Meg said...

They're both fine for circle racing, but what about Drag Racing's Melanie Troxell? She may not be the best, yet, but she's a damned fine racer, male or female.

5-10-2008 @ 6:00PM

nikr said...

Danica Patrick ain't shite compared to Ashley Force--Ashley's SMOKIN' HOT!

5-10-2008 @ 5:29PM

dan said...

Drag racing and Indy racing are 2 different animals..Do you think Ashley can drive at 230MPH and drive around cars and all this for about 4 hours, not just 3.5 seconds..

5-10-2008 @ 5:43PM

khtaylor24 said...

I love how it only matters if a woman racer is hot. Seriously, when have we had a #1 reason to watch a male driver based on his attractiveness? Or said that one athlete is better than the other simply because he has a bigger dick?