Like father, like daughter … and like another daughter.
While so much attention has been focused on John Force’s youngest daughter and Funny Car driver Courtney, older sister Brittany is starting to become – no pun intended – a driving force herself.
And once the 2015 season debuts in Pomona, Calif., in early February, Brittany – like her father and younger sister – intends on being a Force to be reckoned with.
Brittany will be entering her third full season in Top Fuel racing, the quickest and fastest professional category in the NHRA.
During the recently completed 2014 season, Force reached the final round in four races, although failed to net a win. She also was the No. 1 qualifier in three races.
“The biggest highlight of my 2014 season was locking into the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown in the No. 7 position in Brainerd (Minn.),” Force said in a team media release. “That was a proud moment for me knowing regardless of the final races I would be standing on stage at our awards banquet next to the best Top Fuel drivers!”
Force’s biggest single improvement in 2014?
“My comfort level in the seat,” she said. “I feel much more confident about doing my job as a driver, making sure to keep the car in the groove, having a decent reaction time, and pedaling the car on a run if needed. During my first season I was still learning so much, but now I feel I have just as good a chance winning a race because I’m doing my job as a driver.”
Her sophomore season on the NHRA national tour was much like her rookie season in 2013, an ongoing learning experience.
“I’ve definitely come a long way and believe I have improved as a driver since my rookie season,” Force said. “I feel I’m more of a competitor on the track now that I’ve gained some experience and seat time.
“Everything from reaction off the starting line to pedaling the car are things I feel more confident about, especially on Sunday. I also have noticed I feel much more comfortable in the seat which plays a big part in performance on the track. Like I’ve always said, I still have so much to learn ahead of me but I feel like I’m off to a pretty good start.”
But now 2014 is history and 2015 is what Force is focused on.
“In 2015 my main goal will be earning my first win and locking into a proud position in the Countdown (the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs) when our season concludes,” Force said. “I want to go beyond what our team did last year by winning some races, locking into the Traxxas Shootout, qualifying at all 24 events and moving up the ladder from our number 10 finishing position (in 2014).
“Being able to start the season with a clean slate is what really motivates me going into the 2015 season. Rolling into Pomona where everyone will have the same point standings means anything is possible in my third season! Also, I already have a list of goals for this season, which will also be personally motivating throughout the entire season in itself.”
While her father is the all-time NHRA Funny Car champ with 16 championships and more than 140 national event wins, and sister Courtney is also a Funny Car driver, Brittany prefers the other nitromethane class, Top Fuel.
“The thing that most excites me about being a Top Fuel driver is knowing I’m in the same playing field as drivers I grew up watching and drivers I look up to today,” she said. “The even better thing is pulling up next to those drivers on race day and turning on the win light (on a particular round).
“There is no better feeling than going rounds on race day with your team. The other great thing about driving is the teamwork that goes into this sport. I’m proud to know I have a supportive team behind me regardless of the day’s events. We are all one team and we keep each other motivated and fighting for what we want.”
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