Brittany Force wins NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) Brittany Force raced to her second Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, becoming the first female driver to win the unique event.

Force held off the two-time defending race winner Antron Brown, along with Doug Kalitta and Clay Millican, at zMAX Dragway. Force powered her dragster to a final-round performance of 3.764 seconds at 319.98 mph, while defending season champion Brown finished second at 3.779 at 316.75.

''People say the first one is the toughest,'' said Force, the winner last month in Gainesville, Florida, for her first career victory. ''The second one came easier, but I wouldn't say easy.

''Every single guy on this team is the hardest worker I know and I was so happy that we were able to pull it off. It's insane. I am proud to be teamed up with (tuning consultant Alan Johnson and crew chief Brian Husen) and it builds my confidence going into the season. The season is still getting started, but we are definitely off to a great start.''

The 29-year-old Force is the daughter of Funny Car star John Force.

Tim Wilkerson won in Funny Car, Jason Line in Pro Stock, and Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle in the distinctive event where teams compete in a four-lane format.

Wilkerson powered to his second Funny Car victory of the season and 20th of his career with a final- round run of 3.967 at 315.56 in a Ford Mustang. He was followed across the finish line by Cruz Pedregon with a 3.995 at 313.37 in his Toyota Camry, and the trailing Dodge Chargers of Ron Capps and Matt Hagan.

In Pro Stock, Line raced to his third victory of the season in his fifth consecutive final round, posting a winning time of 6.565 at 211.33 in a Chevy Camaro. He finished in front of teammate Bo Butner, who posted a 6.591 at 210.77 in his Camaro. Drew Skillman and Chris McGaha were third and fourth in the quad final. It was Line's first Four-Wide Nationals win and the 40th victory of his career.

Hines continued his mastery of the Four-Wide Nationals in Pro Stock Motorcycle and held off top qualifier Eddie Krawiec, Chip Ellis and Matt Smith for his third victory in a row at the event. Hines clocked a 6.844 at 194.42 on his Harley-Davidson, while Krawiec finished in 6.849 at 194.44 to take runner-up honors. It was Krawiec's fourth consecutive runner-up finish at this event.