Coming off a runner-up finish in Las Vegas, Brittany Force and the Advance Auto Parts team are headed to the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals eager to keep up the momentum.
With a start to the season that had Force packing up early after two first round exits at the Winternationals and Arizona Nationals, the 2017 Top Fuel world champion and the all new Advance Auto Parts team, headed by David Grubnic and Mac Savage, have turned things around and shown their one to watch out for this season. At the 50th anniversary Gatornationals Force snagged the No. 1 qualifier and left the weekend having strung together six consistent runs. She and the Advance Auto Parts team continued to improve into the most recent Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas where they earned a runner-up finish from the No. 3 qualifying position and moved up to eighth in the NHRA Mello Yello points standings.
“We really turned things around and stepped things up in Vegas. I’m very happy with this team and my crew chiefs David Grubnic and Mac Savage. We hit it hard and it showed,” said Force. “We’re going to Houston next and I’m excited to get to the back-to-back races. For me as a driver it puts me at ease. You haven’t been out of the seat too long and you jump right back into it, back into your routine, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Force dominated the Top Fuel class at last year’s SpringNationals event when she qualified in the No. 2 position and powered her dragster to the winner’s circle after defeating Terry McMillen. The victory was a big achievement for Force making it her first win since her crash at the season opening Winternationals. It also marked her eighth NHRA Mello Yello career win and she made John Force Racing history as the seventh JFR driver to get a Wally at Houston Raceway Park. Going into the fifth event of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, Force is looking for a repeat.
“Houston is a special place for me. We won there last year so I’m ready to get there and hopefully do it again,” said Force. “We should be looking good if we get some good qualifying passes in. We’re looking for a win but we’ll have to chase it down. I want to go out there on race day and win this for Advance Auto Parts.”
Qualifying at the NHRA SpringNationals starts at 4:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. on Friday and at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Catch Friday qualifying on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET. Finals will air Sunday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. and will be live from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
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