NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Brittany Force has not driven the fastest Top Fuel dragster in 2019. Her David Grubnic-tuned Carquest Top Fuel dragster has been to the winner's circle, a more important distinction, certainly, but it is deep down the sheets when it comes to speed. Force averaged a speed of 318.96-mph entering the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, making her first-round pass at 335.15-mph all the more impressive. 

That pass, which helped her defeat Mike Salinas, is the fastest made all season. Salinas had made the fastest pass up to that point, a 334.7-mph pull. So, Force not only defeated Salinas on track, she beat his speed record. That earned her a second-round matchup against Clay Millican, who qualified on the pole in Sonoma. 

Force's pass also stands as the fastest speed in any category this season, besting John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight's 334.65-mph burst in a Funny Car. Hight made his pass during Friday qualifying at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. You can see Hight's run below, which put the Auto Club Chevy Camaro on the pole for the eighth time in 2019. 

David Grubnic, the crew chief of the Carquest Top Fuel dragster, tuned Clay Millican to the national elapsed time record in 2017 in St. Louis. That's been the Australian crew chief's calling card for the past three years more than speed (Tony Schumacher holds the speed record, a 336.57) -- but perhaps this is a step in a new direction for the team.  

You can catch the rest of the action from Sonoma on NHRA.tv or by tuning into NHRA on FOX at 2 p.m. Pacific.