Brittany Force Gears Up for Redemption at Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Brittany Force is aiming to bounce back at the Gerber Collision Route 66 NHRA Nationals after a tough outing last year at Route 66 Raceway. In 2024, Force failed to qualify at the Chicago event—her first DNQ in 187 races, ending a streak that had started in 2014.

That moment was a disappointment for Force and her Monster Energy team, but it also fueled a strong finish to the season. She rebounded with a win at Las Vegas, earned five No. 1 qualifiers in the last seven races, and secured fifth place in the final standings.

Coming into the 2025 season, Force and her crew chief, David Grubnic, showed their progress by making drag racing history in Charlotte last month. Her dragster rocketed to a new national speed record at 341.59 mph.

That run has added confidence for Force and her crew as they prepare to chase a first-ever Top Fuel victory at Route 66 Raceway this weekend. “After a DNQ in Chicago last season, this entire team feels the need to redeem ourselves and make up for our mistakes a year ago,” said Force.

She believes the team’s performance has improved, putting them in a better spot to qualify for eliminations and compete for the event win.

The Route 66 event marks the sixth race on the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series calendar, with four qualifying rounds set over Friday and Saturday. The Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge also returns for Saturday, with eliminations on Sunday as the 25th anniversary of the event is celebrated.

Last year, Antron Brown, Matt Hagan, and Gaige Herrera took wins in Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock Motorcycle, respectively. This year, Top Fuel is stacked with talent: Shawn Langdon leads the points with two early-season wins, Tony Stewart follows in second, Brown sits third, and other contenders like Clay Millican, Josh Hart, Doug Kalitta, and Justin Ashley are all in the mix.

Force is currently sixth in the standings and looking to claim her first win of the 2025 campaign. A victory in Chicago would not only redeem the previous year’s disappointment but also make her a winner at every active track on the NHRA tour.

The Monster Energy team’s focus this year has been on consistency. After her record Charlotte blast, Force praised her crew’s hard work and expressed confidence they are close to unlocking their full potential. For insight into team dynamics, see the latest Crew of the Year news.

Action begins with two qualifying rounds on Friday, followed by another two on Saturday. Eliminations will be held Sunday morning.

Coverage airs nationally with qualifying and eliminations scheduled on FS1 throughout the weekend. The Route 66 Nationals remains a key stop for drivers and fans as the NHRA season builds, with every round playing a part in the chase for the championship.

Force and her team are determined to make the most of this milestone weekend in Chicago.

Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.