Testing ahead of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series kicked off on Tuesday in Bradenton, Fla., as part of the PRO Superstar Shootout.

After a barrage of quick runs for the day, Brittany Force emerged as the top runner in Top Fuel. Her 3.680 at 336.91 vaulted her ahead of Justin Ashley as the pace-setter.

The day was one of adjustment for Force, who was adapting to numerous off-season changes to her Monster Energy-sponsored team.

"We had two great runs today," Force said. "I've been out of the seat for a few months. This team's been out of our groove since last season, and we have come back strong with the killer first run and then to run .68. I'm very happy with our results today."

Force's first run was a 3.72.

"After such a tough season for us last year, to come out and take it right out of the back door, that's where we want to be," Force explained. "That's where we should have been last season all season long. We weren't. We're going to turn it around this season."

Justin Ashley was second quickest with a 3.681 at 334.46.

Force admitted beating out Ashley by .001 of a second, and the tight nature of the first day is just a harbinger of things to come in the highly competitive Top Fuel division.

"It shows you how tight the competition, how close the competition's going to be," Force said. "But more than anything, it pumps me up. It motivates me."

Defending series champion Doug Kalitta was third with a 3.700, followed by Steve Torrence with a 3.702. Leah Pruett, in her only planned 2024 appearance, ran a 3.704.

Alexis DeJoria was the top Funny Car with a 3.946, at 317.12, finishing ahead of Matt Hagan, whose 3.949 was an early shutoff.

Most Pro Stockers were short-track runs, but Jeggie Coughlin ran it out the backdoor with a 6.541, 211.23.

Testing resumes today at 10 AM.