IndyCar driver Graham Rahal and his wife, drag racer Courtney Force, recently shared a glimpse into the deep family roots connected to racing. Courtney shared a heartfelt video from her childhood, commemorating a win by her father, John Force. This reflects the enduring legacy that shapes both of their careers in the racing world.
John Force is a legendary figure in drag racing, having captured 16 NHRA World Funny Car championships. He also established John Force Racing, which competes in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with a team that includes his daughter Brittany Force, himself, and driver Austin Prock. The video Courtney posted features a joyful moment celebrating one of John Force’s wins alongside Lisa Coil, the wife of renowned NHRA crew chief Austin Coil.
“Dad showed me this old video today, of me and him in the back of his tow car after a win back in the 90’s. And Lisa Coil celebrating in the front!,” Courtney captioned the video.
Insights from Graham Rahal on the Unique Challenges of Racing Marriages
In a reflective 2016 interview, Graham Rahal disclosed the personal difficulties of building a marriage with someone who shares the same high-adrenaline profession. Married to Courtney Force since 2015, the couple has since expanded their family, welcoming daughters Harlan Ann Rahal in 2020 and Tinley Leighton Rahal in 2022.
Courtney Force carved out her own path by becoming the winningest female driver in NHRA Funny Car history, surpassing records set by her sister, while racing for the family’s iconic John Force Racing team. Meanwhile, Graham competes under his father’s banner, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Graham spoke openly about the emotional toll of seeing his wife risk her life on the track, a perspective unique to few husbands of professional racers.
“It’s a very unfamiliar situation. Most people in this world don’t really understand what’s that like from a husband side because they don’t have to experience that too much with their wives. Obviously for me, she’s far more than a race car driver or just another female. It’s important to me that she’s safe and luckily she is,” he said.
The Weight of Racing Heritage and Shared Experience
Beyond the individual risks, Graham Rahal has spoken about the shared pressure that comes with living up to famous family legacies. He acknowledged that this common experience is a significant bond between him and Courtney, who both navigate the expectations inherited from their fathers.
“There are only a handful of people in the world who could understand the pressure I have. Living in [our dads’] shadow and following in their footsteps, you don’t find a lot of people who can relate to something like that”.
Looking ahead, Graham Rahal is preparing to compete at the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, scheduled for June 22. This event represents another chapter in his ongoing pursuit of success while honoring his family’s name in racing history.