BRITTANY FORCE CONTINUES PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS HEADED TO POMONA

Courtney stages for Top Fuel run in Las Vegas.

YORBA LINDA, CA (October 29, 2013) --- With one more day of testing behind her, Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future contender, Brittany Force is eager to get to the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona. The rookie driver of the Castrol EDGE Top Fuel dragster, the first Top Fueler ever campaign by the 18-time Funny Car championship team, picked up another round win at the Toyota NHRA Nationals giving her eight round wins which leads all rookies this season.

After outrunning Countdown contender Spencer Massey in the first round Force was all smiles when she reached the top end.

“I have raced Spencer four times this season and even though our car was improving it was still not enough to get passed that talented team. I had an awesome run in the first round in Las Vegas and when I saw that win light I was beyond excited! I couldn’t wait to get to the top end to see my guys and pump them up for the next round. Spencer has been a great competitor and friend out here and he was a real professional after the race,” said Force, who now has a 1-4 record against the Top Fuel driver from Ft. Worth, Texas.

Since the Countdown began five races ago Force has an average qualifying position of 7th, has qualified for every race and has raced to the quarterfinals three times. For a rookie driver this kind of success in a play-off atmosphere has definitely helped her improve as her rookie season winds down.

“We have been improving all season but seeing the jump we have made since Indy has been really encouraging. My Castrol EDGE team is really hitting their stride and I am so proud of them. The Countdown atmosphere has been incredible. I think that you feel the pressure even more over these last five races to do your best and make your team proud to really finish out the season strong. Winning rounds consistently has given me the confidence that nothing is out of this teams reach and that our first win is right around the corner” said Force.

“I would love to win the Automobile Club Road to the Future Award because I think I have given so much to the sport this season. It has been so exciting learning the ropes in Top Fuel andpicking up tips from so many of my competitors. They have been incredibly helpful and I want to continue to grow as a driver in this class. I have learned there is so much more to being a successful driver than turning on a win light. Getting to know the media and the fans as well as working with my sponsors Castrol, Ford, Mac Tools, BrandSource, Traxxas and Freightliner has been an eye-opening experience,” added Force.

The Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future award, which recognizes the top rookie competitor in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be presented during NHRA’s annual championship awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. More than 120 of the nation’s leading auto racing journalists will select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: performance on and off the racetrack, participation in NHRA promotions, number of events participated, and relationships with fans, sponsors, and media.

Photos courtesy of Ron Lewis Photography for media use only.