Next Chapter from Brittany Force: “It’s Hard to Say Goodbye to Something I Love So Much”
Brittany Force
Special to FOXSports.com
Known as the “Queen of Speed,” Brittany Force is a two-time Top Fuel world champion (2017, 2022) who owns the record for fastest run in NHRA history at 343.51 mph and the quickest run in NHRA history at 3.623 seconds. She recently announced her decision to step away from racing at season’s end to focus on starting a family. This is a first-person piece in which she reflects on her career.
I fell in love with the sport of drag racing when I was a kid. But it was from the spectator point of view. I remember sitting in the stands with my mom and sisters watching my dad [16-time champion John Force] Race at racetracks across the country. I watched him win races, destroy, ignite, and win championships. He is, and always has been, the world’s greatest driver in the sport.
Growing up in the world of drag racing, I never imagined myself behind the wheel. These cars are aggressive and it takes a strong person to drive them. It wasn’t until my older sister Ashley sat in the seat that I realized there was a place for females to compete and succeed in a field full of men. As a younger sister, I wanted to do everything my older sister did, so I followed in her footsteps and my father’s footsteps as well.
Looking back, I remember the first time I saw a woman on fire at a racetrack. My sisters and I were sitting in the stands waiting for my father to run. A dragster with a pink stripe on the side of the car caught my attention. I’ll never forget my sister Ashley telling me there was a girl driving that car. Shelley Payne (formerly Anderson) was the one behind the wheel. I became a fan at that moment. I couldn’t believe there was a woman driving a race car like my father. Drag racing used to be a male-dominated sport, but not on that day and not on this track. After that, I was always interested in female drivers. Shelley Payne, Erica Enders, my sister Ashley – I was in awe of them.
My sisters and I had a wonderful childhood. We were race track kids. Summer meant packing our bags and going on the road with my dad. We were in a different city every week. We drove from racetrack to racetrack. These racetracks became home to us and my dad’s crew became big brothers to us girls!
My father has crashed and caught fire more times than I can count. He would always get out of the car, raise his arms in the air for the fans, and then give an interview about how cool the explosion was. He was Superman to me. He always did the impossible, and the fans cheered him through it all, and me too!
My team and I have set the national ET record, the MPH national record, won races and won championships together. We’ve accomplished a lot over the years, and that’s something I’m really proud of.
I’ve worked with many different crew chiefs and crew members over the years. I am grateful for the relationships I have built, the people I have learned from and the memories I have made. I’ve been with my crew chief, David Grubnik, since 2019 and I’ve loved being able to push boundaries with him. He is one of the most talented crew chiefs in the industry. My crew this year are some of the hardest working, most dedicated guys I’ve ever worked with. We were on the road together for over 20 weekends during our season, and they made being on the road feel like home.
It takes a unique person to drive one of these cars. I guess you have to be a little crazy to get behind the wheel of an 11,000 horsepower race car. But I’ve always been the adventurous type. I got my supercar license when I was 16, made a few passes, got a funny car license, jumped out of a plane and went skydiving. It’s always been hard for me to say no. I will always try anything once.
This “I’ll try anything once” mentality is actually the leap that started my career. I was competing in an A/Fuel dragster in 2012 and had the opportunity to sit in the seat of a Top Fuel car and test. John Force Racing has been rebuilding our safety program and trying to build a safer race car. At that moment I agreed to be the one to test the Top Fuel car. It took months to build the car, get the team together, and fit all the appropriate safety equipment. When it came to preparing for a test, I remember asking myself, “What have I just gotten myself into?”
I’ll never forget driving to the race track in West Palm Beach, Florida, and remember how terrified I was. I would get into a race car that tops out at 330mph and pulls a 6-7g. I was terrified because getting in the car was like stepping into the unknown.
On the first run I drove my car to about 60 feet and then lifted it. After that first step on the throttle, I was ready to move on a bit. I did a lot of testing and made my way on the race track throughout the year. At the end of the season, I made my first complete pass on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and I was blown away! I knew at that moment that this was what I wanted to do.
This 2025 season has been a great one for my team and me. We got the win in Epping, New Hampshire at the beginning of the season. We re-set the national speed record at 343.51 mph in Indianapolis. We kept running the 340 all season, resetting the records. It took me, my crew chief, and every one of my teammates to make those trips happen. We are all very proud to have the fastest car on the track. This is something that has had a big impact this season.
One of the best parts of my job is meeting the fans. There’s nothing more heartwarming than when a little girl comes up to me at the ropes and tells me she wants to be a race car driver just like me. I always offer any advice I can and hug the little girls and wish them good luck. Those moments are some I will never forget.
If I can inspire someone, it really means something to me. If you can motivate someone to step out of their comfort zone and pursue their dream, even if it’s against the odds, that’s a win in itself.
After dedicating the last 13 years of my life to driving and the sport of drag racing in the NHRA, I have made the difficult decision to give up the seat at the end of the season to focus on raising a family with my husband, Bobby. I am so grateful for this amazing career and all the opportunities that come with it. I am grateful for my team and all of our success together. I’m not closing the door on driving in the future, but that’s the decision I’ll make in the future once I get there.
The decision to step down was not an easy one. It’s always been in the back of my mind since I first made the decision to sit on the bench. As a woman, I don’t have the luxury that men have to continue driving while raising a family.
I was always so focused on my career that I knew that if I wanted to start a family, it would come later in life. Watching my sisters start their families has really opened my eyes these past few years. I love spending time with my young nieces and nephews when I’m home. They come to the races wearing Brittany Force jerseys and are my biggest fans.
Going into this season, I knew it was time. The best way to describe my decision is bittersweet. It’s hard to say goodbye to something I love so much, but with the support of my husband, family, and team, I decided this would be the year to make room for something new and see where this next chapter takes me.
