TOP FUEL STAR BRITTANY FORCE LOCKED IN AND HOPEFUL FOR BIG WEEKEND AT NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS

LAS VEGAS – Brittany Force is a big fan of one of the most unique races in motorsports, but the Top Fuel star also recognizes the challenges that come along with four-wide drag racing and the intense focus needed to succeed in the format. Her next opportunity to get a win as part of drag racing’s ultimate thrill ride comes at this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Force has enjoyed success in Las Vegas before, but never in the four-wide format, something she’s eager to change in her 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac dragster. Along with the incredible rush of four 11,000-horsepower nitro-burning machines powering down the Las Vegas dragstrip simultaneously, Force knows the tremendous importance of also being locked in throughout the weekend to succeed. She’s won the four-wide event in Charlotte and now will try to replicate that victory in Las Vegas, knowing full well the challenges that await.

“It’s a great experience for the fans, it’s fun to watch and be a part of, but it’s definitely a challenge keeping your focus where it needs to be. It’s tough, but we definitely want to win it again,” said Force, a former Top Fuel world champ. “One of the biggest challenges is knowing what your lane in. I’ve done it since they started this thing and you have to be focused on a lot of different things and it is a challenge. It’s tough and there’s a lot going on, but it’s definitely worth it when you win it.”

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) all picked up wins at last year’s four-wide race in Las Vegas. This year’s event will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), including eliminations coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, and is also the fourth of 22 races during the 2022 season. For Force, it’s a chance to get her season going in a big way in an absolutely loaded Top Fuel class.

Through three races, there’s already been three different winners, with Mike Salinas currently leading the pack. Justin Ashley is right behind, while other marquee challengers include Torrence, the four-time defending world champ, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Josh Hart, Doug Kalitta, Leah Pruett and Force’s teammate, Austin Prock. Currently fourth in points, Force is right in the thick of things and will head to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with plenty of good vibes. She holds both ends of the track record in Vegas, including the fastest run in Top Fuel history (338.17 mph) and Force’s previous success gives her plenty of confidence heading into the weekend.

“I love racing in Las Vegas. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the circuit,” Force said. “It’s a place where we’ve had some success and we’re looking for our first win of the season, and we would love to do it there. I think this is going to be one of the toughest years in Top Fuel, but I’m excited to be a part of it and what our team can do.”

In Funny Car, Tasca love to put a jolt in his season in his 11,000-horsepower BG Products/Ford Motorcraft Mustang at a place that brought him a major victory a year ago. He’s struggled a bit thus far in 2022, winning just two rounds through three races, but Tasca grabbed an impressive four-wide last year in Las Vegas, knocking off the likes of Matt Hagan, Tim Wilkerson and reigning world champ Ron Capps.

It helped set the tone for a breakout season for Tasca and another victory is the goal this time around, too, against a loaded Funny Car field. Along with last year’s runner-up Hagan, who won the most recent event in Gainesville to give Tony Stewart Racing its first win, Tasca will also try to hold off the likes of points leader Robert Hight, who already has two wins this year, John Force, J.R. Todd and Cruz Pedregon. Headed to the race with a new sponsor, Tasca is feeling good about his chance to repeat.

“We have everything we need to go back to Vegas and defend our win from last year and that’s exactly what we intend to do,” said Tasca, who finished a career-best third in points a year ago. “I’m thrilled to have BG on board as a primary sponsor. They have been a huge supporter of our race program and I have always wanted to run an all BG Mustang.”

Enders has been impressive in Pro Stock at Las Vegas over the years, with her eight wins tying reigning world champion Greg Anderson for the most in class history. Enders, a four-time world champ, has posted a Vegas victory in each of the last three years, with the 2021 victory her first four-wide win at the track. She already has one win in 2022 and will look to keep rolling against a loaded field that includes teammate and points leader Aaron Stanfield, Kyle Koretsky and Dallas Glenn, who won in Gainesville.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features some of the sport’s top drivers. After nitro qualifying on both days, fans take watch a thrilling jet car display featuring the “Muy Caliente” jets, as well as the “Volcano” jet dragster.

On Saturday, Toyota-sponsored drivers will be signing autographs at 10:30 a.m. at the Toyota Midway Display, while throughout the weekend fans can attend Nitro School to learn more about how the cars operate and reach their thrilling speeds.

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and also includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals winners.

As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Las Vegas. This unique opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. Fans can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family. The new Pep Boys midway display will include tire change challenges, oil change challenges, a slot car track and much more, adding even more excitement to the midway.

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:30 and 3 p.m. PT on Friday, April 1 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 2 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 3. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, and then eliminations action at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, call 800-644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.