“This was a personal choice”: When Graham Rahal’s wife Courtney Force explained her premature retirement despite NHRA stardom

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal's wife Courtney Force announced her retirement from the world of Drag Racing in 2019. Courtney is the daughter of drag racing legend John Force and drove for her father's team JFR throughout her racing career. Courtney retired during her prime years as a racing driver at the age of 30.

As per the official team statement, Graham Rahal’s wife suggested that she retired for personal reasons. The statement read:

“This was a personal choice as I feel I’m ready to see what the next chapter in my life has in store for me while spending more time with family.”

“I intend to remain involved in the industry I love and continue to work with a few select partners as I go forward in 2019. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to have such a successful career at John Force Racing and the privilege of working with so many incredible people while racing against competitors who pushed me to be a better driver,” she added. [via drive.com]

As per the team statement, Courtney thanked his father John Force for presenting her with the opportunity to fulfil her dream of becoming a racecar driver and also her husband Graham Rahal for supporting her through highs and lows.

Courtney Force drives her Chevrolet during the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals - Source: Getty

Courtney Force raced in the Funny Car category during her NHRA career and had a career-best speed of 338.68 miles per hour. She is a 12-time race winner.

Both of her sisters, Ashley and Brittany are also accomplished racing drivers. Brittany, a two-time NHRA World champion, is still active, and races in the Top Fuel Dragster category. Ashley on the other hand has retired but was selected as the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series' Rookie of the Year (Funny Car division) in November 2007.

Graham Rahal and Courtney first interacted through Twitter. After exchanging a few messages, the two met and Courtney invited Rahal to NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, in Joliet. Two years later, in 2015, the couple got married.

Graham Rahal's wife Courtney shares Christmas day pictures on Instagram

The whole Force family celebrated the 2024 Christmas together. All the members, including John Force and his wife Laurie, daughters Courtney, Ashley, and Brittany, along with their husbands attended the Christmas celebrations. The kids of all the Force sisters were also present. Graham Rahal's wife uploaded pictures from the holiday on her Instagram. The caption read:

“Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 🎄❤️”

The first picture includes all the family members who attended the get-together, posing in front of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. The second picture was of the RLL driver, his wife, and their daughters Tinley and Harlan. The last picture shows the daughters sitting in front of the gifts and tree.

Graham Rahal's first daughter Harlan was born in November 2020 and his younger daughter Tinley in September 2022.