Drag racing milestone: Brittany Power tops 341mph in file run

Competing within the NHRA’s premier Prime Gasoline class on the Northwest Nationals in Seattle, 39-year-old Brittany Power delivered a blistering 341.85 mph (550.17 kph) in her semifinal matchup towards Doug Kalitta — the quickest run ever recorded for the reason that sequence switched from the normal quarter-mile to the present 1,000-foot race distance in 2008.

It was Power’s personal earlier file – set simply in April at 341.59 mph (549.74 kph) – that she surpassed. Though her velocity was unmatched, she narrowly missed out on setting a brand new elapsed time file. Her 3.659-second run was simply 0.018 seconds shy of her private greatest (3.641s, 2022).

“Clearly the spotlight of our weekend was within the semifinals after we made a killer run and went even quicker than our (earlier) nationwide file (341.59 mph), the quickest of all time,” she stated. “It’s actually thrilling for this entire group. We work actually arduous to activate win lights and put the perfect numbers up on the board and we’re hoping that file will maintain for some time.”

5 of the Six quickest runs – All by Power

Power had already made her intentions clear in qualifying with a 340.47 mph run. In spherical one, she backed it up with 340.82 mph towards former European Champion Ida Zetterström.

The outcome? Power now holds 5 of the six quickest speeds ever recorded within the Prime Gasoline class – a dominant stat in a fiercely aggressive class. However the weekend didn’t finish as hoped: within the ultimate towards Shawn Langdon, her automotive shut down as a consequence of an engine security sensor.

“Pan strain robotically shut us off within the ultimate,” she stated of the security system that robotically prompts in sure conditions. “I had no energy and was simply coasting to the end line and noticed Shawn go round me.”

“General, it was a fairly strong outing for this group,” stated the one girl to have gained as many as 300 aggressive rounds in drag racing’s signature class. “We had been in a position to make our strategy to the ultimate spherical however, sadly, got here up brief. 

John Power’s lengthy highway again

This season has been emotionally charged for the group. Brittany’s father, drag racing icon John Power, suffered a critical crash in Virginia in June 2024. The 75-year-old sustained a number of accidents, together with a traumatic mind harm, and required intensive care.

Now in rehabilitation, the 16-time Humorous Automotive champion is on the gradual path to restoration. He lately gave his first in-depth replace in an NHRA interview, saying he now not sees a return to driving in his future however plans to remain within the sport.

John Power is extensively considered the face of American drag racing, having formed the game over a long time. His legacy is sustained by his daughters Brittany, Courtney, and Ashley – all of whom grew to become drag racers. Courtney is married to IndyCar veteran Graham Rahal.