[h=2]Brittany Force: Continuing the dynasty[/h] Monday, 13 November 2017


Eric Johnson / Images by NHRA



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After defeating Terry Haddock in the opening round of the Auto Club NHRA Finals in overcast Pomona, California, Brittany Force watched on while her crew wrenched away in getting the 500 cubic inch mill nestled in her Top Fuel dragster in fighting shape for what would be the all-conclusive second round.

Meanwhile, her father, 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force, gave a quick speech to an ad hoc group of friends, family, sponsors and well-wishers who had gathered in the team's pit area.
"We all know Brittany is about to go back out there to try and win the championship," he said. "We're going to do it. But if we don't, we ask that you support us. Take it from me, if things don't work out, it can be real hard on a driver. One time it didn't work out, and I was sick for a week."
And with that, Brittany Force, the team and the Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster all made their way to the staging lanes for what would ultimately be a two-act drama in her Top Fuel destiny.
First, Steve Torrence, the most dominant driver of the 2017 season and basically in a dead heat with Force in the championship fight, got taken down by multiple champion Antron Brown. From there, all Force had to do was take the measure of competitor Richie Crampton and the NHRA Top Fuel World Championship would belong to her. And in her next 3.679s run, that's exactly what she did.
Observing from immediately behind the Monster Energy Top Fuel car, John Force watched the win light go up on his daughter's side of the 1000-foor drag strip, dropped to his knees and began weeping with tears of joy.
"Richie Crampton, the kid she raced in that round to win the championship, is a great 'leaver' and somehow she left on him," began Force Sr. "She needed everything she could, but that's how championships are decided sometimes. You know there has been no woman to win this championship since Shirley Muldowney. Did I really expect this? As much as I believe in my kids and I pray and we teach them..."
Chocking back some emotion, John caught his breath and continued.
"What she did is bigger than my championships. My first championship was won here at Pomona, and to see her come here to Pomona and win it in a category that we've never raced in... man. Top Fuel is not what John Force Racing does. It is now. We're learning how to win."
And of the moment where he saw the win light go on?
"Her mom was there with me, and I dropped to my knees," he said.