Fourteen-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force and his championship-contending daughter Ashley Force Hood spent time Saturday morning at Memphis Motorsports Park talking about a wide range of topics with a Memphis-area Girl Scouts troop and their fathers. The Castrol-backed Funny Car duo fielded questions ranging from how fast their Ford Mustangs cover the racetrack to what classes in school can relate to their racing careers.

“It might seem surprising, but for me, writing and speech classes have really come in handy. I am working on writing my On the Run column for National DRAGSTER, NHRA's weekly magazine, and I do a lot of talking to groups like this, so those classes were really important to me,” said Force Hood, a Cal State Fullerton graduate.

“I remember when I was a Girl Scout, my mom was the troop leader. We worked on getting the badges, but I don’t remember ever going to a drag race. I think it is great that you can come out here with your dads and have a fun day,” added Force Hood.

Questions also came from the dads, and one that generated an emotional response from Force was his advice for raising daughters. Force immediately gave his wife, Laurie, credit for doing most of the hands-on tasks and keeping the girls on the straight and narrow. He did reflect on his time with Ashley, Brittany, and Courtney when they were younger.

“I missed a lot because I was on the road. I remember being there when they learned how to ride their bikes, and they would do my hair for fun. Time goes by so fast. When I look back to the time I spent with them when they were younger, that was the best time of my life, really. The NHRA took me away from that, but now I am getting some of that time back since my three youngest are racing with me. My oldest daughter, Adria, helps me run the business, so we get to spend time together at the shop in California,” said Force.

All the Girl Scouts asked questions with some prompting. At the conclusion of the event, Zoe Whorton of Memphis was all smiles holding her John Force and Ashley Force Hood autographed hero cards.

“I’ve been a Girl Scout for four years. Today will be a lot of fun, but it will be loud. I am excited to be here. My other hobbies are playing with my dogs Luke and Leia,” said Whorton.