Brittany Force Sets NHRA Speed Record with 343.16 MPH Blast at Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. (July 26, 2025) — Brittany Force delivered the fastest run in NHRA history Friday night at Sonoma Raceway, clocking a staggering 343.16 mph during Top Fuel qualifying under the lights; a run that further cements her reputation as drag racing’s Queen of Speed.

The record-breaking pass eclipsed her previous national mark of 341.85 mph, set just two weeks earlier in Seattle. It also marked her seventh run over 340 mph this season, a level of consistency rarely seen in Top Fuel, where most passes range from the low to mid-330s.

Driving the Monster Energy dragster tuned by David Grubnic, Force made the historic run in cool nighttime conditions that proved ideal for top-end speed.

Photo Credit: NHRA/National Hot Rod Association

“It felt fast, but I didn’t know it was that fast,” Force said. “You chase the number, but when you see it light up, it’s surreal.”

Earlier in the day, she had predicted the possibility of another record-breaking performance, pointing to favorable Sonoma conditions and her team’s momentum.

“In the past I didn’t think we’d go faster than 342, but this weekend I believed we could step up… and we did,” she said.

But when asked later if there’s a number that would actually scare her?

“That’s it for me,” Force replied with a grin. “I don’t need to go faster. I like that number — it’s got a good ring to it.”

The moment was emotional not only for its historical weight, but for its atmosphere: header flames under the night sky, packed grandstands, and the kind of fan reaction Force said she could physically feel from the seat of the car.

“There’s nothing like a night run. I remember sitting in the stands as a kid watching my dad, and those runs were always the coolest. To do that here, in front of this crowd, it was just… special.”

The performance also marked a turning point for her team after a turbulent 2023. Force said her crew has taken lessons from her 2022 championship season and refined the car into a stable, record-capable machine.

“We finally got this car back in a window that works,” she said. “We’re not just fast — we’re consistent. And that’s what makes this feel different.”

It’s not just a speed stat, it’s a statement. And it’s exactly why they call her the Queen of Speed.

Other Notable Records

Force’s 343.16-mph blast wasn’t the only historic moment during Friday night qualifying at Sonoma Raceway.

In Top Fuel, she also reset the track speed record earlier in the session with a 339.94-mph pass before making her national record run later in Q2.

In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson broke the Sonoma track elapsed-time record with a 6.472-second run at 210.14 mph in his HendrickCars.com Camaro to earn the provisional No. 1 qualifier.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson claimed his first career provisional No. 1 qualifier. His 6.702-second pass at 200.77 mph marked a personal best and helped cap off a historic evening of qualifying across multiple classes.