John Force Racing has a long, storied history in the Funny Car class of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, winning the Big Go a record 12 times.
Monster Energy driver Brittany Force would love to add to that legacy – in the Top Fuel class.
Force has raced in the prestigious U.S. Nationals four times in Top Fuel, and she’s still looking to add her name to the legends who have won this race. But she’s been coming to the Big Go nearly all her life, watching her dad John Force win this race four times and older sister Ashley Force twice.
“Lots of memories coming here,” Force said. “We’ve been coming since we were kids. Being in the winner’s circle with my dad, my dad winning the Big Bud Shootout and celebrating in the winner’s circle with him. It’s pretty surreal that I’m here with the Monster team, and we get to compete in the Traxxas Shootout and come out here for the U.S. Nationals.
“It’s the biggest race of the year, and we’re hoping that we kick ass and end up in that winner’s circle and take home the Wally.”
The Traxxas Shootout is a non-points-paying race for Top Fuel and Funny Car held in conjunction with the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Eight drivers compete for the $100,000 first prize in each category.
The first seven winners in Top Fuel and Funny Car are automatically entered, with Force earning a spot by winning in Epping, N.H. earlier this season.
But Force is also looking beyond the Traxxas Shootout and the U.S. Nationals, as the Countdown to the Championship begins in Charlotte on Sept. 15-17.
“We’re also focused on the end of the year,” Force said. “We’re focused on the Countdown, moving up in points. We want to keep moving up that ladder and gain as many points as we can.”
The U.S. Nationals can be a grind, as obligations away from the race track often fill drivers’ schedules. But Force has the perfect sponsor, Monster Energy, to help keep her going.
“It’s tough,” Force said. “There’s so much going on. It’s doing one thing at a time and catching your breath in between. When you strap in that race car, you put everything out of your mind and focus on doing your job.”
Five qualifying sessions are scheduled for the U.S. Nationals (all times Eastern): Friday at 7:15 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Fox Sports 1 will provide two hours of qualifying coverage (all times Eastern): Sunday at noon and 5 p.m. and two hours of live eliminations at 11 a.m. FOX will provide three hours of live eliminations at 1 p.m.
4-Second Reads:
- Brittany Force has competed in four races at Indianapolis and every race since 2013, her rookie year.
- Force is looking for her first victory at Indianapolis. Her best effort came in 2005, when she advanced to the semifinals.
- Force is 3-4 in seven elimination-round races at Brainerd, and 2-2 in first-round matchups.
- Force’s best qualifying effort came in 2016, when she qualified No. 3.
- Force is currently fifth in Top Fuel points standings, and as a result has clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship.
- In 2017, Force has one victory, a 23-16 elimination-round record, and one No. 1 qualifier. She has set the event quick elapsed time twice, and event top speed a series-high six times.
- In her career, Force has four victories, 109 elimination-round wins and seven No. 1 qualifiers.
- Force’s most recent NHRA victory – 2017 New England Nationals in Epping, N.H.
- Force’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2017 NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill.
- Force’s best time/speed at Indianapolis – 3.706 seconds (2016); 328.30 mph (2014)
- Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.674 seconds (2017 Topeka Q3); 333.66 mph (2017 Topeka E1)
John Force Racing PR/Photo Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
