Graham Rahal on the Force family: 'They're always together'
LAS VEGAS — Graham Rahal has unique perspectives on the phenomenon that is John Force.
Rahal not only is Force’s son-in-law (he’s married to Force’s youngest daughter, Courtney), but he also knows a thing or two about auto racing. Rahal drives Indy cars for a team partially owned by his father, Bobby, a former IndyCar champion.
Courtney and Graham were married in November 2015, ending months of “speed” dating and tossing Rahal into the maelstrom of the extended Force family and its all-consuming devotion to racing.
“I’m the outsider,” Rahal told Paste BN Sports. “I’m the one person in this family who doesn’t require John to sign my paycheck. It’s a little different, but I also grew up around a guy (his father) who was the class of his field for his career.”
PHOTOS: At home with the Force family
Force and Rahal have a long-distance marriage. Courtney lives near her parents, John and Laurie, in Yorba Linda. Rahal lives near Indianapolis, home to his Verizon IndyCar Series team. But they are together often, either at a track or, quite often, at the Force family “big house” in Yorba Linda.
All of the Force family members live within a few miles of John and Laurie.
“It’s not like you get a whole lot of space,” Rahal said, smiling. “It’s probably the way John likes it. Everything they do, they’re always together — at the track or at home.”
John Force interrupted an interview with Rahal to remind him, “Hey, all you have to worry about is protecting my baby.” Then he was off to harass someone else.
Earlier, Force had told Rahal, “If you ever split up with my daughter, there will be a hundred men lined up to marry her.”
Rahal’s response: “Not after they meet you.”
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PHOTOS: Behind the wheel with Courtney Force