Photo Credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery
| INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Sept. 1, 2024) – For the third time in the last four years and the fourth time in her last five appearances, Brittany Force will start the world’s most prestigious drag race from the No. 1 qualifying position in her Chevrolet Accessories Top Fuel dragster. Trying to nail down a starting spot in the upcoming NHRA playoffs, the 38-year-old daughter of motorsports icon John Force will oppose Shawn Langdon, the surprise No. 16 qualifier, in Monday’s opening round of the 70th annual U.S. Nationals, the final event in the regular season. Although her 3.693 second best was .053 off the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park record she set two years ago, it was good enough to make her No. 1 for the 48th time in her 12-year pro career. Her challenge Monday will be to take her David Grubnic-and-John Collins-tuned Chevy dragster a step further than in 2021 and 2022 when it came up short in final round losses to Steve Torrence and Antron Brown, respectively. “We need to go rounds tomorrow,” said the two-time World Champion. “We’ve had a pretty consistent few days of qualifying. We were looking for bonus points today (after earning 11 in the first three sessions), didn’t get them, but tomorrow is a new day. We’re going to start over and focus one round at a time. Like I’ve been saying all weekend long, we need to go rounds to stay in the hunt (for another championship). “It’s been kind of a roller coaster in our pits with emotion, especially with David Grubnic,” said the NHRA national record holder. “He’s very expressive and you either know he’s in a great mood and he’s happy – or he’s not. But, coming back from that last run (a so-so 3.852), even though we were looking to run better and didn’t get any (bonus) points, he was excited. He said, ‘well, we have Shawn Langdon so let’s freaking figure this out.’ He was actually in a really good place, better than I’ve seen him all weekend.” Brittany won’t be the only John Force Racing driver seeking an elusive first U.S. Nationals title on Monday. Austin Prock also has yet to hoist the ultimate “Wally” trophy although he is making only his fourth start and his first in a Funny Car. After qualifying the Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS No. 1 for the 10th time this season, the 29-year-old will face Chris King in the first round. Already assured of starting No. 1 in the Countdown to the Championship, Prock is reveling in the team’s success. “It’s been unbelievable,” the fourth generation gearhead said of his season. “It’s been more than I ever dreamed of or hoped for. You’re racing (with) your family (dad Jimmy is crew chief; brother Thomas his assistant) and we dominated the regular season. I’m so proud of this team, so proud of my dad, my brother, everyone that puts all the effort in and gives me a fast hot rod to drive. It’s pretty cool.” Jack Beckman, the only active JFR driver who has won “The Big Go,” will start from No. 3 Monday in the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevy Camaro he is driving on behalf of the team’s namesake, who continues to rehab after suffering a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) in a June 23 crash in Richmond, Va. He will face Chad Green in round one. “It’s one race at a time, one round at a time,” Beckman said. “I’m getting comfortable in this PEAK Chevy. We have a car I know can win races; I just have to do my job. You have some tough cars out there. Austin has been the class of the field. Bob Tasca III has figured his stuff out. Ron Capps doubled (back-to-back Indy wins the last two years) and they’re back again. (Matt) Hagan is Hagan. There are so many great cars. Honestly, it’s just humbling to be back out here. “But, it’s Indy and I don’t need any extra incentive to win. I know I’m driving for a team and driving a car that absolutely can win on Monday.” Force, who won twice this year before his accident, is a five-time U.S. Nationals Funny Car champion, his most recent win coming in 2019 when he beat Beckman in the final. A year later, Beckman earned the second of his U.S. Nationals victories, beating then teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. for the money. |
