Courtney Force chasing Hagan, father for Funny Car title

During the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship , sisters Courtney and Brittany Force shared stories from the road with USA TODAY Sports. Brittany qualified for her first Countdown in just her second season in Top Fuel. Courtney, in her third season, currently ranks third in the Funny Car points standings, heading into this weekend's season finale — the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona, Calif. Both drive for father John Force, a 16-time Funny Car champion, who currently ranks second in the standings.

We are officially going in to the final race of the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello season and the John Force Racing team has a shot at the Championship. My dad is currently 21 points (one round, plus a point) behind points leader Matt Hagan, and I'm 121 points out of first place.

This weekend at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., it is going to be high pressure, adrenaline, nerves and one final shot to try and reach that goal. For my Traxxas team, the Championship title might be a long shot, but in this day and age anything is possible so we are definitely staying positive and focused.

It's make or break this weekend and fortunately, if anyone is good under pressure, it's my dad. He knows how to win while being the "underdog", or the guy behind. He thrives on the pressure, the excitement, the final hope, and this is something I strive to be like. He's the best at it and most importantly, he loves being told that something is impossible or out of reach, because he is very good at proving these words wrong. The race this weekend is going to be one to come see in person, I almost forget that I'm a part of it because I'm so eager to see what's going to happen.

It's great being able to be back at my home track and to be a part of such an intense series where the pressure is continuously on the drivers, every race, and every round. I got the thrill of being in the chase for the championship just weeks ago, after my team picked up back to back wins in Dallas and St. Louis. We made huge moves within the six races in the Countdown and moved all the way up to second in the points at one point, and at this time it was right behind my dad who was leading. This was surreal. I cherished that amazing moment in my life because I never knew if I would be able to experience that with him. My dad in the points lead while I was trailing him, in second.

I was on top of the world, and then we stumbled and got knocked out in the first round in Reading, Pa. Our teams all struggled on a weekend when we really need to thrive and instead we stumbled at the wrong time. That opened the doors for others to catch up to us and even pass us in points. Dad and I shuffled back to numbers two and three in the points, while Hagan passed us both, to take the lead with only two races remaining.

And that's the highs and lows of racing. With another early exit for my team in Vegas when we dropped a cylinder and slowed down, letting our competition drive by for the win, our chances for the Championship started to slip through our fingertips. It's a frustrating feeling but it definitely makes you appreciate the highs in racing. These wins don't come easy and they take teamwork and a lot of hard work, dedication and tireless hours to achieve them.

We've managed to stay in 3rd going into the final race of the season so this weekend is all or nothing. I can't wait to get back to a familiar track in my home state, and be back in the cockpit of my 320 mph nitro burning funny car. I'm eager to see how we can finish off an already memorable 2014 season, and to hopefully see one of our teams earn a Championship, come Sunday.

PHOTOS: Courtney Force in the driver's seat