Brittany Force reflects on NHRA retirement after cancelled season finale

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Brittany Force has officially retired from the NHRA after a 13-year stint in the championship.

The 39-year-old headed into the race weekend at the In-N-Out Burger Dragway in Pomona, California, with her sights set on improving her position in the standings. However, persistent heavy rain cancelled the event, leaving her fourth in the championship.

Force has stepped away from the driver's seat as the most successful female Top Fuel driver in NHRA history with 19 Wallys in 40 final-round appearances. She also holds the record as the quickest and fastest driver in the championship, having recorded a 3.623-second run in 2019 and set the speed record four times this season, reaching 343.51 mph in the first round of eliminations at the US Nationals in September.

“I always try to find the positive in everything,” said Force.

"This weekend, with the event getting cancelled, I look back on Las Vegas, my last pass down the drag strip, we turned a win light on and ended up in the winner’s circle, so that’s where my focus is. I’m really proud of everything this Monster Energy team has accomplished this season, everything John Force Racing has accomplished.

"Jack Beckman did an amazing job in the seat again this year and Austin Prock bringing home his second consecutive championship was amazing. Everybody under the John Force Racing umbrella gave it their all and none of our achievements would have been possible without them.”

Brittany Force

Photo by: NHRA

Force announced on 12 September 2025 that she had decided to retire to focus on starting a family with her husband Bobby Lyons Jr.

“After dedicating the last 13 years of my life to the NHRA and to John Force Racing, I have made the difficult and bittersweet decision to step out of the seat of my Top Fuel dragster at the end of the season to try to start a family with my husband, Bobby,” she said at the time of the announcement.

“I’m thankful for such an amazing career and all the opportunities that came with it. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, including the NHRA, the fans, and all my sponsors, past and present. Thanks to Monster Energy, HendrickCars.com, Chevrolet, Cornwell Tools, PEAK, and Graham Rahal Performance for helping me compete at the highest level in the sport.”

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