Brittany Force, daughter of legendary NHRA driver John Force, has announced she will retire from full-time racing following the conclusion of the 2025 NHRA season to start a family. The two-time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion recently set a new record for the fastest Top Fuel speed ever recorded, reaching 343.51 mph during a record-breaking campaign.
At 39 years old, Force reflected on her exceptional career, which includes 18 Top Fuel victories and numerous speed records, establishing her as one of the most successful female racers in NHRA history.
Looking Back on a Trailblazing Career and Family Influence
Force expressed gratitude to her family, racing team, and sponsors for their support throughout her career. She acknowledged the unique challenges faced by female drivers in a male-dominated sport, highlighting how her sisters made similar choices to retire in order to focus on their families. Force also left the door open for a potential return to racing in some capacity later on.
“It’s something that as a female in NHRA drag racing that has always been in the back of my mind,” she told the AP. “I watched my sisters get into the scene and have their careers and then ultimately had to make the decision to step out so they can try to start a family. Ashley has two little boys, Courtney has two little girls and has a third on the way. Because of that, it’s always been in the back of my mind because being a female in the sport, it is definitely more of a challenge.” —Brittany Force, NHRA Champion
John Force Reflects on His Future After Serious 2024 Crash
John Force, one of the most acclaimed figures in NHRA drag racing history, shared his thoughts on the possibility of returning to racing following a near-fatal accident in 2024. Speaking on the Out of Bounds podcast at age 75, Force explained how the injuries he sustained and the emotional toll on his family have led him to question whether he will race again.
Though his passion for racing remains strong, Force acknowledged that age and medical concerns might prevent a comeback. He stressed the impact his accident had on his loved ones and described his ongoing recovery as a challenging process.
“I got a career out here seventy years and probably too old to be driving and I don’t know if the doctors will ever let me drive again, don’t know if I want to. (I) put my family through a lot of pain and my daughters that drove they knew the drill and my wife, and it was like you got to get well, and that’s what I’m striving on. But I’m telling you maybe the head never gets well,” John Force said. (3:36 onwards) —John Force, NHRA Legend
Legacy of the Force Family in NHRA Drag Racing
John Force’s career is marked by extraordinary achievements, including 16 NHRA Funny Car World Championships, 157 NHRA event wins, and participation in 269 final rounds—records unmatched in NHRA history. His daughters, including Brittany, have continued the family tradition, each making significant marks on the sport despite its challenges.
While John Force may step away from driving, he remains deeply involved in the sport through team management and mentorship, helping to nurture the next generation of racers. Brittany’s retirement signals a new chapter for the family as they balance racing legacies with personal aspirations.
