Ford names Courtney Force to represent teen-driving program

Drag racer Courtney Force has been hired to represent Ford's teen-focused Driving Skills for Life program.

The program helps young drivers improve their driving skills, focusing on hazard recognition, vehicle handling, and space and speed management.

Force says her mom taught her to drive in a Ford Excursion.

"She was the one that got me learning the basics," Force said. "I was actually glad that she put me in a larger car. It was easy to drive anything else after that."

Force is the youngest daughter of 15-time NHRA Funny Car national champion John Force. She won her first National event in the Top Alcohol Dragster category at the 22nd-annual NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle in 2009.

By Julie Alvin