{"id":18332,"date":"2018-05-30T10:25:11","date_gmt":"2018-05-30T15:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=18332"},"modified":"2018-05-30T10:25:11","modified_gmt":"2018-05-30T15:25:11","slug":"defending-top-fuel-world-champ-brittany-force-has-responded-to-adversity-in-impressive-fashion-heading-to-jegs-route-66-nhra-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/05\/30\/defending-top-fuel-world-champ-brittany-force-has-responded-to-adversity-in-impressive-fashion-heading-to-jegs-route-66-nhra-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Defending Top Fuel world champ Brittany Force has responded to adversity in impressive fashion heading to JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/em><\/p>\n

JOLIET, Ill. \u2013 A crash like the one Brittany Force<\/strong> experienced to open the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series<\/a> season is not an experience she wants to go through again. But the ability to overcome some sizeable adversity the way the defending Top Fuel world champion and her team did also told Force a great deal about what her team is capable of this season.<\/p>\n

\"\"
NHRA photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the crash in Pomona, Force was back behind the wheel of her 10,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster at the next race, bouncing back in impressive fashion. She won her first race of the year just three races later and now looks to keep that momentum rolling heading into this weekend\u2019s 21st annual JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not something you ever want to do again, but (the crash) really brought our team together,\u201d said Force, who is seventh in Top Fuel points. \u201cThey built a brand new car in a few weeks and we won in Houston. I definitely believe it made me a better driver, mentally overcoming that wreck. It was a big mental game to put that behind you and I think it proved my strength. Watching my team having my back, that was the biggest through all of it. It shows if you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything. The wreck was awful, but something good came out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year\u2019s winners of an event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including final eliminations coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. It is the ninth of 24 races during an already tumultuous 2018 season, but Force and her team, led by crew chiefs Brian Husen and Ronnie Thompson, and consultant Alan Johnson, have shown tremendous resolve.<\/p>\n

\"\"
NHRA photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She qualified third in Las Vegas in just her third race back and won an event later in Houston, qualifying second there. Force has added her first No. 1 qualifier of the year since then, and remains focused on an important four-race stretch that starts at Route 66 Raceway. Even with the crash, Force remains ahead of last year\u2019s championship pace, as her first win in 2017 didn\u2019t come until early June. With a chance to make a big move in Chicago, Force is looking forward to seeing what her team can accomplish over the next four weekends.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a good chance to get some work done,\u201d said Force, who has eight career Top Fuel wins. \u201cHaving four in a row, it\u2019s good for the whole team. It keeps us moving forward and in a routine. What I\u2019ve learned from last year, you want to be in the top half and feel your most comfortable going into the (Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship). The races now, you want to bring home wins, keep moving up in points and get everything prepared for the Countdown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cracking the top five in Top Fuel will be difficult, as everyone, including Force, tries to track down defending event winner Steve Torrence, who has three wins and the points lead. Others to watch include Topeka winner Clay Millican, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, Atlanta winner Leah Pritchett, Pomona winner Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown and Terry McMillen. But Force likes the way her team has come together in recent races and always enjoys her time at Route 66 Raceway.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a lot of good memories there,\u201d Force said. \u201cIt used to fall on my birthday and you always want to win on your birthday. The fans are incredible there and it\u2019s just an awesome place. It has that big stadium feel and the facility is different than any other track. It\u2019s a unique place and when you see it all and pull up there, it really pumps you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defending Funny Car event winner Ron Capps is after his first win of 2018 against class stars like points leader Courtney Force, Jack Beckman and defending world champion Robert Hight.<\/p>\n

Drew Skillman hopes Chicago is again the place for his first Pro Stock win of the year. He\u2019ll have to get past the likes of points leader Vincent Nobile and defending world champ Bo Butner to get it.<\/p>\n

LE Tonglet is the defending event winner in Pro Stock Motorcycle, hoping for a fourth win at the facility against standouts Eddie Krawiec, who has two wins in 2018, and teammate Jerry Savoie.<\/p>\n

The JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals also features competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, including the popular JEGS Allstars bonus event that pits the best NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series racers from across the country in individual and team competition. After Nitro qualifying, fans can watch the spectacular Pro Jet Motorsports Al Z’s Hot Blade and Team Heat Fifty Caliber jet dragsters. Jet cars are thrust driven propelled by jet engines with exciting pre-run flame shows.<\/p>\n

Those in attendance will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with a few of the most renowned names in drag racing during the NHRA Legends Tour. This will feature meet-and-greets, autograph sessions, and a variety of other activities. Legends scheduled to attend the JEGS Route 66 NHRA Nationals include Don Garlits and more.<\/p>\n

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they\u2019re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.<\/p>\n

Fans also will want to visit NHRA\u2019s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. on Friday, June 1 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 2, at 3:15 and 6 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 3.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or 815-722-5500. Tickets also are available online at www.route66raceway.com<\/a>. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more information about the NHRA visit nhra.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA JOLIET, Ill. \u2013 A crash like the one Brittany Force experienced to open the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season is not an experience she wants to go through again. But the ability to overcome some sizeable adversity the way the defending Top Fuel world champion and her team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18334,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[117,6,285,461],"class_list":["post-18332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhra","tag-brittany-force","tag-nhra","tag-route-66-dragway","tag-route-66-nhra-nationals"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-4LG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35779,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2021\/09\/17\/brittany-force-john-force-aaron-stanfield-and-steve-johnson-claim-provisional-no-1-spots-at-dewalt-nhra-carolina-nationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":18332,"position":0},"title":"Brittany Force, John Force, Aaron Stanfield and Steve Johnson claim provisional No. 1 spots at Dewalt NHRA Carolina Nationals","author":"racedaysaeditor","date":"September 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Courtesy of the NHRA CONCORD, N.C. \u2013 Both Brittany and John Force enjoyed another impressive performance in qualifying on Friday, as each raced their way to provisional No. 1 positions in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively at the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/324-BrittanyForce-Friday-Charlotte2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/324-BrittanyForce-Friday-Charlotte2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/324-BrittanyForce-Friday-Charlotte2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/324-BrittanyForce-Friday-Charlotte2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/324-BrittanyForce-Friday-Charlotte2.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35980,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2021\/10\/06\/torrence-vs-force-battle-set-to-heat-up-at-the-nhra-fall-nationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":18332,"position":1},"title":"Torrence vs. Force battle set to heat up at the NHRA Fall Nationals","author":"racedaysaeditor","date":"October 6, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio ENNIS \u2013 The battle for the coveted NHRA Top Fuel championship is expected to intensify this weekend between Steve Torrence and Brittany Force when the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series rolls into town for the Stampede of Speed NHRA Fall Nationals at the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_1969.jpg?fit=640%2C640&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_1969.jpg?fit=640%2C640&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_1969.jpg?fit=640%2C640&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55226,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/16\/hart-tapped-to-replace-brittany-force-in-jfrs-top-fuel-dragster-in-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":18332,"position":2},"title":"Hart tapped to replace Brittany Force in JFR’s Top Fuel dragster in 2026","author":"John Sturbin","date":"October 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio John Force Racing has signed two-time NHRA Top Fuel national event-winner Josh Hart to drive the car two-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force will vacate at the end of the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Hart\u2019s multi-year contract with JFR\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HarttoJRF.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HarttoJRF.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HarttoJRF.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HarttoJRF.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HarttoJRF.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2557,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/04\/30\/winning-nhra-wally-trophies-is-becoming-a-john-force-racing-family-tradition\/","url_meta":{"origin":18332,"position":3},"title":"Winning NHRA Wally trophies is becoming a John Force Racing family tradition","author":"Mike Haag","date":"April 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"BAYTOWN \u2013 In NHRA drag racing the most coveted prize for a racer to win is a Wally trophy. The Wally, which was named in honor of the late NHRA founder Wally Parks, stands at more than one-foot tall with a classy brass finish.\u00a0 He stands on a solid wooden\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Mike Haag's Notebook"","block_context":{"text":"Mike Haag's Notebook","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/mike-haags-notebook\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/wally.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/wally.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/wally.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/wally.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/wally.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54469,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/12\/two-time-nhra-top-fuel-champion-brittany-force-to-step-away-from-fulltime-competition-at-end-of-2025-season\/","url_meta":{"origin":18332,"position":4},"title":"Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Brittany Force to step away from fulltime competition at end of 2025 season","author":"racedaysaeditor","date":"September 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Courtesy of John Force Racing MOHNTON, PA. \u2013 Two-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion and the quickest and fastest driver in NHRA history, Brittany Force, announced today that she will step away from fulltime competition at the conclusion of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series to focus on starting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mail-28.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mail-28.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mail-28.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mail-28.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mail-28.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35516,"url":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/21\/brittany-force-and-bob-tasca-iii-race-to-no-1-qualifiers-at-lucas-oil-nhra-nationals\/","url_meta":{"origin":18332,"position":5},"title":"Brittany Force and Bob Tasca III race to No. 1 qualifiers at Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals","author":"racedaysaeditor","date":"August 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Courtesy of the NHRA BRAINERD, Minn. \u2013 A week after winning her first race of the 2021 season, Top Fuel star Brittany Force continued to roll, qualifying No. 1 for the fifth straight event on Saturday at the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Bob Tasca\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NHRA"","block_context":{"text":"NHRA","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/category\/nhra\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/283-BrittanyForce-Saturday-Brainerd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/283-BrittanyForce-Saturday-Brainerd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/283-BrittanyForce-Saturday-Brainerd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/283-BrittanyForce-Saturday-Brainerd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/283-BrittanyForce-Saturday-Brainerd.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018_Force_Brittany_Action.jpg?fit=2250%2C1500","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18332"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18336,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18332\/revisions\/18336"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}