Story and photos by Candida Benson, National DRAGSTER9/11/2007

Late-night TV met NHRA Drag Racing Monday when Funny Car driver Ashley Force made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the rookie driver shined brightly in front of the NBC television cameras. Force, whose father, John, appeared on The Tonight Show 11 years ago, was witty and charming while serving as a great ambassador for the sport. From her opening, â??It’s nice to be a girl for once,â? when Leno complimented her attire to her â??You know those days when you go to work and you just have a bad day? That was mine,â? line when discussing her crash earlier in the season in Seattle, Force got her fair share of laughs and several hearty cheers from the crowd.

â??The whole experience was really great,â? said Force, who was featured in a five-minute segment on the program following actor Brad Garrett and in advance of a performance by Cirque du Soleil. â??This is definitely one of the funnest interviews I have ever done.â?

Though she wasn’t seen by viewers throughout the United States until after 10:30 p.m., Force’s preparations began well in advance of the airing. After spending the weekend on a mini vacation at Lake Tahoe, Force caught an early flight back to Southern California Monday and began preparing for her Tonight Show debut. With the help of friends and family, Force put together her outfit and did her hair and makeup in advance, arriving at the team’s shop at 2 p.m. ready to go on stage.

With her entourage in the limo provided by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Force left the team’s Yorba Linda headquarters shortly after 2 p.m., heading to the Burbank studios where the show is shot. The group arrived at the studios at about 3:30 p.m. and was escorted to Force’s dressing room. While Force readied for her segment, which included meeting Leno and reviewing potential questions with him, the group who came with her was seated in the studio. After an hour of waiting, a last touch-up of makeup, and a final review of potential questions with a producer, Force was ready for her close-up.

Though nervous about falling as she made her way from the backstage area to the chairs on set, Force sailed through the appearance, telling anecdote after anecdote and throwing in basic drag racing information whenever she had the chance. Leno and Force covered everything from Funny Car racing to being the daughter of a well-known, eccentric father to her recent win in AOL Sports’ Hottest Athlete poll.

â??The whole thing felt so quick, and I felt like I missed so much stuff,â? said Force. â??I knew ahead of time it would be quick because I heard the people working on the show say that each of Brad’s segments would be about five to six minutes long, so I figured that’s what mine would be. So I knew I had to keep the answers short rather than rambling on like I do a lot of times.â?

Force’s Tonight Show experience didn’t end once the lights and cameras were shut down. After taking photos with Garrett and some of the performers from Cirque du Soilel, Force and her group were invited to a private tour of Jay Leno’s Garage, the impressive car collection owned by Leno. The group’s tour guide was none other than Leno himself, who impressed with not only his collection but also his vast knowledge of the cars and automotive technology in general.

After giving Leno a gift basket that included Force’s Barbie collectible, a team jacket, a hat, and other goodies, the group stopped for dinner before returning to the shop.

Following are photo highlights from the day.

This story and these images are copyright 2007 by the National Hot Rod Association. It may not be reprinted or reused in any way without the express written consent of NHRA.com.