Brittany Force looks for first Sonoma victory
with her Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster

SONOMA, Calif. (July 25) – Brittany Force and her Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster head into the second leg of the annual Western Swing, the NHRA Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, confident in challenging not just for round wins but overall victory.
Force, of Yorba Linda, Calif., has won first-round matchups in seven NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races – she’s qualified No. 1 or No. 2 in three of those and no worse than No. 6, by the way – and has advanced to the semifinals in four of the last six races, winning at Epping, N.H.
In two of the other three semifinals appearances, including last weekend’s Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., she fell to the eventual race winner.

“I feel like we’re all in a really good place, so we just keep moving forward, keep pushing and we’ll be in the winner’s circle before we know it,” said Force, sixth in the Top Fuel points standings and only two points behind Doug Kalitta for fifth.
Force is looking to continue a strong showing as of late to Sonoma, where she has one quarterfinals appearance in four previous races. She was the No. 1 qualifier at Sonoma in 2014.
“I love Sonoma,” Force said. “One of my favorite tracks on the circuit. It’s close to home. I’ve always wanted to win there and get that big goblet at the end of the race track. (Sister) Courtney’s won there, my dad (John Force) has won there, and have a lot of memories there with Eric Medlen. To win there would be outstanding. Love the track, so hopefully we can get everything figured out so we can win there.”
The NHRA Sonoma Nationals begins Friday, with two nitro qualifying sessions at 5 and 8 p.m. Pacific (televised live on Fox Sports 1). Two more qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 5:35 p.m. Saturday (televised at 10 p.m.), with elimination rounds commencing at 11 a.m. Sunday (live television coverage beginning at 4 p.m.).
4-Second Reads:
Brittany Force has competed in four races at Sonoma Raceway and every race since 2013, her rookie year.
Force is looking for her first victory at Sonoma Raceway. Her best effort came last season, when she made it to the quarterfinals.
Force is 1-4 in five elimination-round races at Sonoma Raceway.
Force has qualified No. 1 once at Sonoma Raceway – in 2014.
Force is 1-3 in four first-round elimination races at Sonoma Raceway.
Force is currently sixth in Top Fuel points standings, only two points out of fifth position.
In her career, Force has four victories, 106 elimination-round wins and seven No. 1 qualifiers.
Force’s most recent NHRA victory – 2017 New England Nationals in Epping, N.H.
Force’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2017 NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill.
Force’s best time/speed at Sonoma – 3.728 seconds (2016); 325.85 (2016)
Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.674 seconds (2017 Topeka Q3); 333.66 (2017 Topeka E1)
Force and sister Courtney will compete in the event press conference on Thursday, July 27, at Zocalo Restaurant, 1801 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95811. Media members interested in attending the press conference are encouraged to contact Sara Slaughter, NHRA Communications, at sslaughter@nhra.com to confirm RSVP and time.
Ben Ratcliffe, who works on the car’s superchargers, is from South San Francisco.