Brittany Force, the two-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion, revealed Friday she will retire at the conclusion of this racing season to focus on starting a family. Her retirement announcement comes shortly after she achieved the fastest run in NHRA history, reaching a speed of 343.51 mph at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
Force, 39, recently married Bobby Lyons and is ready to transition into motherhood after an exceptional career. She is the second of four drag racing daughters of 16-time champion John Force.
Challenges and Choices Faced by Female Drivers in NHRA
Reflecting on her decision, Force acknowledged the pressures faced by women in drag racing who often balance career ambitions with family life.
“It’s something that as a female in NHRA drag racing that has always been in the back of my mind,”
she said.
“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 Driver
Her announcement coincides with news from Leah Pruett, who stated she plans to return to NHRA racing in 2026 after pausing her career to have a child with NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart.
Setting New Records and Racing Milestones
Known as “The Queen of Speed,” Force surpassed her own Top Fuel world speed record at the U.S. Nationals, clocking 343.51 mph to break her previous 343.16 mph mark set just a few months earlier in Sonoma. At the season’s outset, she held a speed record of 338.94 mph, itself a recent benchmark established in 2022.
She has made a remarkable ten runs exceeding 340 mph since April, a feat no other Top Fuel driver had achieved prior to this year. Force also shares the record for most Top Fuel wins, tied at 18 with drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney. Furthermore, she holds nine of the ten fastest Top Fuel runs on record.
Reflecting on her record-setting run, Force shared her excitement:
“I couldn’t hear anything on my radio and then they repeated the 343 speed and I thought they were joking,”
she recalled.
“I’m so pumped and so excited to do this in front of all the fans here. The stands were packed. We’ve run great mph lately, but to jump over 342 and go right to 343, I still can’t believe we did it.”
—Brittany Force, NHRA Driver
Connection to Family and Team Throughout Her Career
Force’s entire driving career has been with John Force Racing, a team deeply rooted in family ties. Working alongside her father and longtime crew members has provided a rare continuity and support system that few drivers experience.
Her decision to retire signifies the first time since John Force began competing in 1971 that no member of the Force family will be racing in NHRA events.
“I’m really proud of Brittany and all she has accomplished throughout her career,”
John Force said.
“She’s won races, set countless records, and captured two World Championships. Her presence in this sport will be greatly missed. Although she’s stepping out of the seat at the end of the year, her focus is still firmly set on winning the championship and ending this season strong for all her sponsors.”
“Her mom, Laurie, and all her sisters are proud, as well, and we’re all looking forward to seeing what the next chapter of her life holds.”
—John Force, 16-time NHRA Champion
Potential Future in NHRA Despite Retirement Plans
Brittany Force has not ruled out returning to competitive drag racing after focusing on her family. She expressed her enduring passion for the sport, emphasizing a long history of involvement and dedication.
“I love the sport, I love NHRA drag racing, I’ve grown up around it,”
she said.
“I dedicated the last 13 years to the sport, so I am not closing the door on driving in the future. That’s definitely a decision for further down the road once I get there.”
—Brittany Force, NHRA Driver
Force also holds a degree in secondary education and teaching credentials, but she believes she would have found a way to stay connected to drag racing even if she had chosen a different career path.
“still feel I would have found a way to be involved in the sport, even if I wasn’t driving.”
—Brittany Force, NHRA Driver
Legacy of Achievements and Impact on Drag Racing
Brittany Force’s two world championships, won in 2017 and 2022, stand out in NHRA history as major milestones, with her 2017 championship marking the first Top Fuel title by a female driver in 35 years. Her success has helped pave the way for women in drag racing, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Shirley Muldowney.
As she steps away, her contributions to NHRA and the sport’s evolving landscape highlight both her competitive excellence and the personal sacrifices involved in balancing a racing career with family ambitions. The NHRA community will watch closely to see if she returns behind the wheel and how her story will continue to inspire future generations.
