Brittany Force sits in the No. 5 spot after two qualifying rounds of the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals with the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, despite not making a perfect run in either session Friday at Texas Motorplex.
Force’s best run was 3.747 seconds at 282.95 mph, though the speed was nearly 40 mph slower than usual, an indication that her car slowed in the lights.
“We’re getting the car down there and putting a decent number on the board,” Force said. “No. 5 is not a bad place, but it’s not where we want to be this far into the Countdown. We want to be making solid passes and we want to be No. 1 right now to get as many points as we can.
“We get two runs tomorrow in the heat, and that’s when it’s really going to matter. This Monster team, we’ll get it figured out. I’m not worried; we’ll pull it together.”
Dallas marks the fourth race of the six-event Countdown to the Championship, which settles the points battles in the four NHRA pro classes. Force sits third in the Top Fuel standings, 83 out of the lead.
Younger sister Courtney Force is also third in points, though in the Funny Car class. Courtney was also No. 5 on Friday, as the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS made a best pass of 3.928 seconds at 331.94 mph. It marked the team’s first race with the new pink livery, designed to bring awareness to breast cancer and supporting the Young Survival Coalition.
“I’m really proud of my team as we’ve kicked off the weekend with a pair of bonus points that first session,” Courtney Force said. “Looking forward to tomorrow; we’re going to push this car and see if we can run it a little quicker in qualifying. Great start to the weekend.”
Team owner John Force was No. 11 in his PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS, with a second-round pass of 4.215 seconds at 221.31 mph.
AAA Texas driver Robert Hight sits in the No. 14 spot with a best run of 4.471 at 191.00 mph.
Qualifying for the AAA Texas FallNationals continues Saturday with two sessions – at 2 and 5 p.m. Central.
John Force Racing PR/Photo Ron Lewis Photography
