At the 36th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals on Sunday, Brittany Force captured widespread attention by shattering her own track record with a remarkable 340.82 mph run. This milestone, accomplished in her Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, not only secured her victory over competitor Ida Zetterström but also marked a historic moment in the sport.
The 39-year-old California native completed the race in a swift 3.69 seconds, registering the third fastest Top Fuel pass in NHRA history. Brittany’s performance electrified the crowd and reaffirmed her growing legacy in drag racing. Speaking to reporters after her run, she said,
“We’re putting 340s on the board, which is great for the fans, but our main focus is getting three more win lights.”
—Brittany Force, driver
Upcoming Top Fuel Matchups and Standings
The competition continues with the second round of Top Fuel pairings now confirmed. Brittany Force is set to face Anton Brown, while other key matchups include Doug Kalitta versus Justin Ashley and Shawn Langdon against former NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. Stewart, currently leading the points standings with 848, remains a formidable opponent as he drives the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster in his second NHRA season.
Following Stewart, the top five drivers include Shawn Langdon, Justin Ashley, Doug Kalitta, and Anton Brown, with Brittany Force holding the sixth position overall at 592 points. Her next challenge will be at the DENSO Sonoma NHRA Nationals, scheduled for Sunday, July 27. Fans can watch the event live starting at 11 am PST on NHRA.tv.
John Force Reflects on NHRA Future After 2024 Crash
Meanwhile, Brittany’s father, John Force, a legendary NHRA driver and 157-time winner, has shared candid thoughts about his future in racing following a serious crash in 2024 at Virginia Motorsports Park. The accident left him with a traumatic brain injury, from which he continues to recover both physically and mentally.
In a recent interview with KTLA Sports, quoted by Autoweek, John Force expressed mixed emotions about returning to the sport he loves.
“Even if I don’t drive, and probably won’t, I love the sport. I love NHRA. I love traveling the country, going to a new town every week. And I hate giving that up, because it’s been my whole life since high school.”
—John Force, NHRA driver
He also acknowledged the challenges of his recovery and his uncertain future behind the wheel:
“I’m probably too old to be driving, and I don’t know if the doctors will ever let me drive again. Don’t know that I want to. I don’t know if a doctor will take me off, but I’m good now. Rehab is my mind. It’s a lot of work, and I was already screwed up as a driver, as a person. People say, ‘He hasn’t changed much, has he?’ But that’s just the way I always was, coffeed up and wired up.”
—John Force, NHRA driver
Despite the difficulties, John Force considers himself fortunate for the longevity of his career and is now focusing on outpatient therapy to regain his abilities. His situation underscores the physical and mental demands faced by professional drivers and highlights the resilience required to overcome serious injury.
The Continued Impact on NHRA Racing
Brittany Force’s record-setting run at the Muckleshoot Nationals symbolizes a rising force in the NHRA circuit, pushing speed limits and inspiring fans nationwide. Her performance boosts the excitement as the season advances, setting the stage for intense competition heading into future events like the Sonoma Nationals. Meanwhile, John Force’s ongoing recovery adds a poignant dimension to the sport’s narrative, reminding audiences of the risks involved and the dedication needed at the highest levels of drag racing.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What does NHRA stand for?
A. The National Hot Rod Association, or NHRA, creates rules for drag racing and organizes events in the U.S. and Canada. Boasting more than 40,000 drivers, the NHRA says it is the largest motorsport sanctioning body globally.
Q. What’s bigger, NHRA or IHRA?
A. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is the second-biggest organization for drag racing in North America, following the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
Q. What does an NHRA stand for?
A. The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is the biggest auto racing group worldwide. Wally Parks started it in 1951. Despite becoming a global sports business, NHRA still focuses on Parks’ main goal: giving racers a space to compete.
Q. Does NHRA stand for?
A. NHRA stands for National Hot Rod Association. It started in 1951 to move hot-rodders from streets to safer places. Now, it is the biggest motorsports organization globally and a leading promoter of drag racing.
