Brittany Force Announces Retirement, Reflecting a Shift in NHRA & the Challenges for Female Drivers
Top Fuel star Brittany Force, known affectionately as “The Queen of Speed,” has announced her retirement from full-time NHRA drag racing at the end of the 2024 season. This decision, revealed to the Associated Press, isn’t simply a career change; its a reflection of the unique challenges faced by women in motorsports, particularly when balancing professional ambitions with family life.
Force’s announcement follows a similar path taken by Leah Pruett, wife of NASCAR legend Tony Stewart, who is returning to NHRA in 2026 after taking time off to start a family. This trend highlights a critical juncture for female drivers in a demanding sport. The physical and time commitments required at the highest level ofen conflict with the desire to build a family, a reality Force openly acknowledges.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind,” force explained. ”Watching my sisters navigate thier careers and then prioritize starting families… it’s a challenge being a female in this sport.” Both Ashley Force Hood and Courtney Force have stepped back from racing to focus on motherhood, with Courtney expecting her third child.
A Legacy of Speed & breaking barriers
Force leaves the sport with an notable resume. She currently shares the record for most top Fuel wins by a woman with the legendary Shirley Muldowney (18 wins). Her recent performance at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis cemented her place in drag racing history, setting a new NHRA Top Fuel world speed record of 343.16 mph.
This wasn’t a single breakthrough moment, either. Force has consistently pushed the boundaries of speed, recording 10 runs of 340 mph or faster since April – a feat previously unheard of in Top Fuel. She held the speed record at 338.94 mph since 2022 and has now logged nine of the ten fastest runs in Top Fuel history.
her two NHRA Top Fuel championships, earned in 2017 and 2022, are testaments to her skill and dedication. The 2017 title was particularly significant, marking the frist win by a woman in Top Fuel in 35 years, since Muldowney’s historic victory.
A Family Affair & Future focus
Throughout her 13-year career, Force has remained a cornerstone of John Force Racing, the team founded by her father, drag racing icon John Force. This unique habitat provided her with unparalleled support and a close-knit team that felt like family.
John Force expressed immense pride in his daughter’s accomplishments. “She’s won races,set countless records and captured two world championships,” he stated. “Her presence in this sport will be greatly missed.” He emphasized Brittany’s commitment to finishing the season strong and securing a championship for her sponsors.
While stepping away from the driver’s seat, Brittany Force isn’t ruling out a future return to the sport. She holds a degree in secondary education and teaching credentials, but believes she would have remained involved in NHRA even without a driving career.
“I love the sport. I love NHRA drag racing. I’ve grown up around it,” she said. “I dedicated the last 13 years to the sport, so I am not closing the door on driving in the future. That’s definitely a decision for further down the road once I get there.”
This decision marks the first time as John Force’s entry into the sport in 1971 that a member of the Force family won’t be actively competing. It’s a poignant moment, but one that underscores the evolving landscape of NHRA and the personal choices athletes must make to navigate their lives both on and off the track.
![Trump Golden Dome Deal: Small Tech Stock Soars | [Company Name] Shares Surge](https://i0.wp.com/static.euronews.com/articles/stories/09/29/61/21/1200x675_cmsv2_db8cea94-a8b4-5968-9377-d043a0b1a81e-9296121.jpg?resize=150%2C100&ssl=1 "Trump Golden Dome Deal: Small Tech Stock Soars | [Company Name] Shares Surge")
