With dad John responding positively to treatment for the TBI he suffered in a June 23 crash in Virginia, Brittany Force will be back in the cockpit of her national record-holding Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster this week when the NHRA Mission Foods tour moves to Pacific Raceways for the 35th NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Although she missed the most recent race at Norwalk, Ohio, the two-time Top Fuel World Champion managed to hold onto the No. 10 position in the driver standings and is anxious to get back in the hunt in a car that, before her dad’s accident, had begun to respond to changes in its set-up.
“I’m glad to get back to the racetrack after a tough few weeks,” said the 38-year-old who last year set the Pacific Raceways speed record of 334.73 miles per hour. “It has been a rollercoaster of emotions for our family since Richmond, but my dad has made great progress and we are all so proud of him. He has transferred now to a rehabilitation center closer to home.
“I want to thank (crew chief) David Grubnic, John Collins and my team for their patience and support of my decision to stay with my father while racing continued in Norwalk,” she said. “Missing a race was tough, but I needed to be with my dad and family.
“I’m proud to be running our Flav-R-Pac dragster this weekend to honor our longtime partner, Frank Tiegs. He always reminded me to make sure I was still having fun because that is when you perform at your best. We won a championship together in 2022 and I’m proud to carry him and his family on the car this weekend.
“Our team’s current focus is to improve our starting position in the Countdown,” said the 16-time tour winner. “We’ve made great strides in our last few races and I’m eager to take that next step and put our Flav-R-Pac dragster in the winners’ circle for the Tiegs family and my dad!”
Runner-up to Tony Schumacher at the 2022 Northwest Nationals after qualifying No. 1, Force will start Friday 67 points behind No. 9 Tony Stewart and 104 behind No. 7 Billy Torrence with just four races remaining before the points are adjusted for the Countdown.
“It’s going to be hard to not have my dad at the track with me this weekend,” Force said, “but I know he will be watching from his rehab facility. Watching him fight his way back is what now motivates me to get back into the winners’ circle.“
Photos courtesy of the NHRA
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