[ Getting Aggressive ]
F
ROM THE MOMENT she stepped into a Top
Fuel dragster in 2013, the spotlight has
been on Brittany Force.
She’s welcomed and thrived in it,
knowing the influence she – as well as
her actions – can have across the sport.
Last season was different in a number of
ways, yet Force handled it all like a consummate
professional, coming into her own in a unique
and special way.
It was the first year she raced without her sister,
Courtney, making her the lone Force sibling still
racing. It was also the first season with a brand-
new team, as crew chief David Grubnic and his
aggressive style came on board.
Yet, Force thrived in every way imaginable. Her
team jelled incredibly well, making it one of the
most enjoyable years she’s had as a professional.
She also spent considerably more time on the
road with her father, iconic Funny Car driver
John Force, detailing many of those adventures
on social media.
On the track, the former Top Fuel champ also
excelled, making the quickest run in NHRA histo-
ry and also the fastest run in Top Fuel history. She
won twice, finished third in points and genuinely
had the time of her life in the sport she loves as
much as ever.
“It’s definitely been a transition and there’s been
a lot of big changes,” Force says. “Having my sister
out here every weekend was great, and it’s been a
big adjustment. It’s given my dad and I lot of time
to spend together, and that made last season a lot
of fun. It was nice just having that one-on-one
time with my dad.
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“I guess it’s been easy because I love being out
here,” she continues. “I love being at the track,
I love every single one of the guys on my team.
That’s where I choose to be and where I want
to be, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
That was apparent, as Force impressed in those
new situations.
What stayed true, though, was her dedication
to the craft, both as a driver and as a role model.
She remains flooded with requests off the track
and with fans at the races, but Force continues to
handle it with the grace of someone who knows
the importance of their actions.
Her popularity among fans – and even sponsors
– has only increased because of that, and it’s a role
she takes seriously. Force knows young people are
watching and she continually wants to influence
them in a positive way.
“It’s a lot for a driver to carry, but I’m proud
of the way I’ve handled myself and the way I’ve
carried myself and how our whole team carries
themselves,” Force says. “That’s very important
to me, too. I take it very seriously and something
my dad has always taught me.
“My name is tied to (John Force Racing) and
whether it’s the end of the day, or you’re flying or
whatever, you always have to remember where
you stand and what you represent.”
What Force represents on the track is a driver
who has become emboldened to succeed after
working through the ups and downs in her career.
She was immediately thrust into the spotlight
during her rookie year in 2013, going through
all the travails of not winning a race until 2016.
Force won the championship in 2017 – overtaking
Steve Torrence down the stretch – and then had
to battle back from a horrific crash to open 2018.
Last year, the team had to come together quickly,
figuring out a way to mesh a number of new faces.
Force, though, has found out a lot about herself
during that journey, becoming a more confident
driver in the most adverse situations.
“It’s such a mind game out there, such a battle
of ups and downs and trying to stay focused and
positive,” Force says. “It’s part of the driver’s job to
find that and keep focused, but that confidence
comes and goes. You have to put those tough
moments behind you and learn from it, and want
to get back in the car rather than going down the
path of just dwelling over it.”
Force, Grubnic and co-crew chief Mac Savage
clicked almost immediately. Force won early in
the season, and then pushed Torrence down
the stretch, going 3.623-seconds at Reading to
set the record, making the fastest run of 338.17
in Vegas, a race she also won to draw close
to Torrence.
Force loves that it’s a total team effort, whether
it’s their weekly team meetings or an aggressive
approach that’s brought out the best in everyone.
It has Force happy with her present and excited
about her future, with no intent of slowing down.
“I love Grubby’s style and the way he incor-
porates the whole team,” Force says. “He gets
everyone involved and he asks our advice. His
style is different, but I love learning from him
and working with him. It’s given me a whole
new level of confidence, where we just go out
and attack and be aggressive, and that’s pretty
exciting.” – JO S H HAC HAT
Issue 155
NATIONAL DRAGSTER
BRIT TANY FORCE