Brittany Force and the Advance Auto Parts Monster Energy Top Fuel team are rolling into Bristol Dragway with strong performance numbers and a lot of confidence. The team has bounced back from a tough season-opening race to put themselves right back into the championship mix with eight races left in the Mello Yello NHRA regular season. This weekend’s Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals has Force’s complete attention and excitement.
“I am ready to get to Bristol. It is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit,” said Force. “I have said that since the first time I went there in 2013. I love that track. The facility is beautiful. The track is unique on its own. It is cool that the track runs right through the valley. I want to win there and we haven’t done that yet. It is on my bucket list and I would love to get my second win of the season there for Advance Auto Parts and Monster Energy.”
Earlier this season, Force took her Top Fuel dragster to the winner’s circle in Houston just four races after destroying a brand new dragster at the season opening Winternationals. The incident left Force bruised but not defeated and has galvanized her team. The performance of the new dragster has been evident with Force racking up five consecutive top half qualifying starts including four in either the No. 1 or No. 2 position since the Houston win.
“This race car has been so good in qualifying,” said Force. “We just need to get some things to go our way on race day. I know we have a team that can win races and win championships. We have proven that. You look at all the drivers in Top Fuel right now and most of them are a little hit and miss on race day. I there are a lot of really good Top Fuel teams out here and that is great news for our fans.”
In Richmond during her first round match-up against Bill Litton Force was pulling away for the win but her 10,000 horsepower dragster hazed the tires. Force did a masterful job of getting her Top Fueler under control but too much momentum had been sacrificed.
“Pedaling these race cars is all about letting them settle down and being patient enough to wait before getting back on the throttle. I was able to get it under control again and get it going again but we just ran out of race track,” explained Force. “We were looking to try and get the best opportunity to give us lane choice for the next run. I think we just pushed it too hard and blew the tires off it.”
The six year pro is still looking for her first win at Bristol Dragway and also her first trip to the final round at the historic track. For the month of June Force has added Advance Auto Parts to her dragster and she has been enjoying sharing a look and sponsor with her younger sister Courtney Force, who is the Funny Car points leader.
“It has been a lot of fun to see my red dragster beside Courtney’s red Funny Car in the staging lanes,” said Force. “The fans love it and since we can’t race against each other this is about the next best thing. I am hoping we can get both of these Advance Auto Parts race cars in the winner’s circle this weekend. That would be a pretty cool Father’s Day gift for our dad.”
Qualifying for the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals will begin at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. for Funny Car and Top Fuel on Friday followed by sessions on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations will begin on Sunday at noon.
JFR PR/Photo Credit Auto Imagery
