Brittany Force hasn’t had the best of seasons so far in NHRA’s Top Fuel ranks.

Force is trying to reverse her fortunes this weekend at the New England Nationals.

The driver of the Monster dragster began things on the right foot by capturing the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot by setting both ends of the track record with a run of 3.686 seconds at 331.36 mph.

“It really has been a tough season for the Monster team since our final round in Phoenix (Feb. 26),” Force said. “We’ve really struggling since then trying to find our way back. We went testing in Indy a few weeks ago and we found the problem so I knew going into Topeka (Kan., May 19-21) that we had that problem fixed. Unfortunately, we went out early, but I said this was going to be our weekend. We’ve been stuck in a hole and we’re climbing our way out and we’re going to climb our way back to the top and we have our race car back.”

Force arrived in Epping seventh in the points standings with a 7-8 elimination round record this season. Force lost to Steve Torrence in the second round at Topeka. She has six No. 1 qualifying spots in her career, but none this year. Her best starting position was fourth four different times.

“It was a crazy run,” Force said about her record lap. “It was hauling on the way down there and it was quite a ride. I got down there and hopped out at the other end and they told me we were No. 1 and that was exciting for me and the team and we’re ready to see what we can do this weekend.”

As for Saturday, Force is keeping the same approach.

“That’s our plan to keep the No. 1 spot going into race day,” she said. “We want as many points as we can get and we want to win the thing on Sunday. If we don’t end up No. 1 that’s fine. All I care about is winning on Sunday and that’s what we’re going for.”

Force also took a moment to address the fact she, her sister Courtney (Funny Car) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) were all No. 1 in qualifying at the completion of Friday.

“It’s pretty awesome to see all the ladies are No. 1, that’s something that’s very special,” Brittany said. “Maybe we can all get the job done this weekend and have an all-girls winner’s circle, that would just be outstanding. Courtney has had a rough day, but the No. 1 has to make her feel a little bit better.”