It was a banner day for the legendary John Force Racing team, as they put on a stunning display of dominance at the 24th annual Ford Performance NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas. In an event marked by both triumph and emotion, the team’s four drivers—Brittany Force, Austin Prock, Aaron Stanfield, and Gaige Herrera—each emerged victorious in their respective categories.
Heading into the event, the focus was largely on the return of team patriarch John Force, the 16-time Funny Car champion, who was making his first appearance at the track since a terrifying crash back in June. His presence added an extra layer of meaning to the day’s proceedings.
Brittany Force Ends Winless Streak
The day’s biggest story unfolded in the Top Fuel category, where Brittany Force ended a 39-race winless streak with a dominant performance. In the final round, Force clocked an impressive time of 3.703 seconds at 332.54 mph, powering past reigning champion Doug Kalitta for the victory. The win marked Force’s first since the fall race in Las Vegas last year, and the emotion was palpable as she celebrated in the winner’s circle.
“Having my dad here for the first time since his crash wasn’t pressure; it was more heart behind every single person on the team,” an elated Brittany Force said. “We always want to come out here and win, but with him being here this weekend, after everything he’s been through, there was definitely more heart behind it.”
Team Sweeps The Nitro Classes
Brittany’s triumph was just the start of the Force family’s success on the day. Teammate Austin Prock followed suit in the Funny Car final, securing his eighth career win with a time of 3.830 seconds.
Prock, who is on the verge of clinching his first world title, made his best run of the weekend to defeat Paul Lee and extend his points lead over teammate Jack Beckman.
The Force family dominance continued in the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories. Aaron Stanfield captured his sixth win of the season in Pro Stock, while Gaige Herrera secured his 10th victory of the year in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
An Emotional Return For John Force
While the on-track success was remarkable, the true story of the day was the return of team patriarch John Force to the racing surface. Since his June crash sidelined him, the 74-year-old legend’s presence brought an air of celebration and pride to the entire event.
“We’ve always stayed positive and confident, but it does hurt when you go two seasons without winning,” Brittany Force acknowledged. “With [John] being here this weekend, after everything he’s been through, there was definitely more heart behind it. We aspired to see him emerge victorious.
Towards The Season Finale
The NHRA’s 2024 season will reach its conclusion at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, from November 14-17. With the Force family’s drivers firmly in contention for championships, the stakes will be high as they look to cap off the year in style.
Prock currently holds a commanding 188-point lead over Beckman in the Funny Car standings, while Stanfield has taken over the top spot in Pro Stock. Herrera, the defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, enters the finale with a 123-point advantage.
As the curtain closes on another thrilling NHRA season, the Force family’s performance in Las Vegas serves as a powerful reminder of their enduring legacy in the sport. With emotions running high and championships on the line, the final event promises to be a fitting conclusion to a truly banner year for John Force Racing.
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