Brittany Force and her Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster team have made no misguided steps as they prepare for the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway, the seventh of 21 events on the NHRA Camping Drag Racing Series schedule.
With her semifinal finish at the return of the Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, Force and the Monster Energy team made a jump from fifth to second in the Top Fuel points standings. Led by crew chief David Grubnic and assistant crew chief Brandon Hazleton, the Monster Energy team has earned three No. 1 qualifying positions, including at the season-opening Gatornationals and both Four-Wide events in Las Vegas and Charlotte.
“I’m excited to be returning to New England Dragway this weekend with my Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team,” Force said. “We’ve had some luck in Epping in the past with a track record and win.”
Force won the NHRA New England Nationals en route to her first championship in 2017 when she started from the No. 2 qualifying position. New England Dragway is one of only two tracks on which Force has yet to qualify No. 1 (the other is St. Louis), however, Force did set the current track speed record of 334.90 mph during the first round of eliminations in 2022, she also qualified No. 2 but lost in the second round to teammate Austin Prock.
“This team is looking for more this weekend,” Force said. “Our plan is to qualify in the top five while attempting to win the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and chase down a win on race day Sunday.”
For the second time this season the weekend’s competition has added incentive for Force and her Monster Energy team as they compete in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge during Saturday qualifying. Thanks to their semi-final round appearance at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals, Force earned a rematch against eventual event winner Clay Millican. Performing in the race within a race not only earns drivers’ championship points at the end of the regular season but a chance at extra cash as well.
“We still have so much racing ahead of us this season but it’s time to turn things around going forward and get back to the top,” Force said.
The NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway start with qualifying Friday at 6:00 p.m. Saturday qualifying and the first round of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for Top Fuel will be at 2:20 p.m. If Force wins, her last qualifying session and the Challenge finals will be at 5:55 p.m. Regular Top Fuel qualifying will be at 5:30 p.m. Sunday eliminations are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be aired on FO Sports 1 (FS1) Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET, and eliminations are slated to begin Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
JFR PR
