Brittany Force heads to Chicago seeking 'Monster' victory on birthday weekend

Brittany Force heads to Chicago seeking 'Monster' victory on birthday weekend Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery JOLIET, Ill. (July 3) – Brittany Force enters the second half of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with the same goal she had when she started the year – winning the Top Fuel championship.   The driver of the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster started the season strong, but then went through a rocky patch. Force, though, is on the right track and currently sixth in the points standings heading into this weekend’s Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.   The track record-holder in elapsed time and the No. 1 qualifying driver in Top Fuel last year, Force is anxious to get back behind the wheel of her dragster after a weekend off.   “It was great to have a weekend off after going four in a row, and after a weekend off, we’ll be anxious and ready to get to Chicago,�?? Force said. “We had some success there last year – went No. 1, but we didn’t win the race, so that’s what we’re going for this year. We were able to get a victory at Epping, and hoping to win the race in Chicago. We’ll be ready.�??   With the second half of the season getting underway, competitors will also be looking at collecting points through solid performances in both qualifying and on race day. Force looks at Chicago as key, as only six races remain before the Countdown to the Championship – the final six-race stretch that determines series champions – commences.   “It’s really about staying in the top 10 and figuring our race car out,�?? Force said. “Once the Countdown begins, it’s game on. You can’t screw up at any point. Everybody has to be on their game, the car has to go down the track. It’s crazy that the season has gone by so quickly.   “But we’ve turned things around in the last few races,�?? said Force, who has one other final-round appearance, in Phoenix, in 2017. “I think we’ll be ready when it gets here.�??   Force has had mixed results at Route 66 Raceway. She earned the No. 1 qualifying position last season on a record 3.692-second pass during the second session of qualifying before falling in the quarterfinals. Her second visit to the track in 2014 resulted in a finals appearance, in which she finished runner-up.   And, with her birthday on Saturday, she’s hoping to give herself and her crew a belated birthday gift. Her only plan – “to win the thing.�??   “I’d love to win there,�?? Force said. “It’d be the best present – to be in winners’ circle and get that Wally.�??   The 20th annual Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals begins Friday with two qualifying sessions – at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Central time (7 and 9:30 p.m. Eastern time). The third and fourth rounds of qualifying are scheduled for 4 and 6:45 p.m. Central on Saturday (televised live at 5 p.m. Eastern on Fox Sports 1). Final round eliminations are scheduled for noon Central on Sunday (televised live at 3 p.m. Eastern on FS1).   4-Second Reads: Brittany Force has competed in four races at Route 66 Raceway and every race since 2013, her rookie year. Force is looking for her first victory at Route 66 Raceway. She made it to the finals in 2014. Force is 4-4 in eight elimination-round races at Route 66 Raceway. Force earned her only No. 1 qualifying effort at the track last year. That was her most recent No. 1 qualifying effort. Force is 2-2 in firsts-round elimination races at Route 66 Raceway. Force is currently sixth in Top Fuel points standings. In her career, Force has four victories, 101 elimination-round wins and six No. 1 qualifying spots. Force’s most recent NHRA victory – 2017 New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. Force’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2016 NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill. Force’s best time/speed at Chicago – 3.692 seconds (2016 Q2); 327.59 (2016) Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.674 seconds (2017 Topeka Q3); 333.66 (2017 Topeka E1) Force celebrates her birthday on Saturday, July 8. A special Funny Car is being built for Brittany Force to test later this season, “to experience the Funny Car,�?? father and team owner John Force said. “We had to build a car especially for her.�?? Brittany Force will have a seat-fitting this Wednesday in the Brownsburg shop. Co-crew chief Jason McCulloch moves to the team after spending the last 10 races on John Force’s Funny Car. McCulloch replaces Joe Veyette, who returns to John Force’s car as the co-crew chief. Nate VanZuiden, who works on short blocks and cylinder heads, hails from Morrison, Ill. About John Force Racing John Force Racing, Inc., based in Yorba Linda, Calif., and Brownsburg, Ind., is a professional sports dynasty, one that has earned 18 NHRA championships and claimed 252 professional victories in Funny Car (248) and Top Fuel (4). Led by team owner and driver John Force, a 16-time Funny Car Champion, 1996 Driver of the Year for all of American motor racing, 2011 International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, and driver of the PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, JFR is additionally comprised of Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight, 2009 Funny Car champion and 2005 NHRA Rookie of the Year; Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Courtney Force, 2012 NHRA Rookie of the Year; and Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster driver Brittany Force, 2013 NHRA Rookie of the Year. For more information, please visit johnforceracing.com. Media Contact: Lee Montgomery John Force Racing Public Relations (704) 258-0903 lmontgomery@johnforceracing.com Media Contact: Michael Harker John Force Racing Public Relations (386) 547-3943 mharker@johnforceracing.com Connect with us       John Force Racing | 498 Southpoint Circle, Brownsburg, IN 46112 Unsubscribe submit@theautochannel.com Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by lmontgomery@johnforceracing.com in collaboration with Try it free today