Stop us if you’ve heard this before – NHRA Top Fuel Superstar Brittany Force is the No. 1 qualifier.

Force’s latest qualifying triumphant came on Saturday in Q3 at the Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.

Force rocketed to a 3.696-second elapsed time at 327.90 mph to grab the No. 1 qualifying position.

This Force’s eighth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 40th of her career.

“I’m not sure dramatic is what we were going for,” said Force, when asked about capturing the No. 1 position on her last qualifying pass. “That’s not how any of us wanted us to do it. We had a solid, good run down there and that’s really what we needed. It is unfortunate we only got one of our three (qualifying) runs down there. Setting us up for race day that is tough. We got down (in Q3) and hopefully we will have enough info to learn from that and reset going into race day. We gained some points and got another No. 1 qualifier, and we are looking for a long race day (Sunday).”

Force was able to unseat Justin Ashley for the top spot. Ashley clocked a 3.703-second pass at 330.55 mph in Q1 Friday. 

Force will meet No. 16 qualifier Cameron Ferre in round one.

“The tough part is we only got down there once (in qualifying), and that was in the cooler conditions,” Force said. “That Q2 really would have been an important run for (Sunday), but we just have to make the best with what we have got. We put a 69 on the board that’s No. 1, but we have a lot to do to set us up for Sunday.”

Force acknowledged when her dragster was sitting in the No. 14 spot on the qualifying ladder after Q2, there were some tense moments.

“There was pressure,” Force said. “There’s pressure every weekend. This is the first race of the Countdown, and we weren’t able to perform the way we have been performing all season and we were in the bottom half of the field. We tried to eliminate the pressure and focus on what we know how to do as a team and that’s put up good numbers on the board and turn on win lights on race day.”

Force began the Countdown in the No. 1 spot in the points. She won her lone world championship in 2017.

“We are excited,” Force said. “This is exactly where we want to be. We want to be in that No. 1 spot coming into this Countdown, we have never been (in this position) before. Back in 2017, when won we were sixth or seventh and went up to No. 1. Really, you can win from anywhere, but this is the position we want to be in. We are out in front and want it to stay that way leaving this weekend. That’s our main goal.”

The outpouring of support of fans at the facility also wasn’t lost on Force.

“It is pretty cool to see, just the stands are packed,” Force said. “Outside our ropes (in the pits) it is just packed with people. It is pretty exciting to see all the fans who are out here to support NHRA drag racing and they want to hang out and get autographs from drivers. They are diehard fans. They want to see some good race cars and some good numbers and some good racing. Hopefully, we put on a good show for them (Saturday) and hopefully we will do the same thing (Sunday). To see crowds like we have had this weekend, just pumps us up.”