Legendary NHRA racer John Force is “conscious and speaking with safety officials” after his horrific accident at the Virginia Nationals on Sunday, his team said.
Following the accident, Force was taken to hospital.
Force was racing his Funny Car around the track, as he’d done thousands of times before, when the engine blew up, sending his car across the center line and into the wall, then crossing the line again and crashing into the guardrail.
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John Force, of Yorba Linda, California, drives his JFR 500 Peak Chevy ’22 Camaro SS prior to the second round of qualifying at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“During the first round of Funny Car qualifying for the Play NHRA Virginia Nationals on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park, John Force’s Funny Car experienced an engine explosion near the finish line, then crossed the center line, struck both guardrails and came to a stop,” the NHRA said in a statement.
“Force was conscious and was examined at the scene by the NHRA medical team and then transported to a local medical facility for further evaluation.”
John Force Racing said his car suffered “catastrophic engine failure” after crossing the finish line at 302 mph.
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NHRA Funny Car driver John Force and his daughter Brittany Force compete at the Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway on May 18, 2024 in Joliet, Illinois. (Mark J. Rebillas-USA Today Sports)
The accident came just three weeks after Force won his NHRA-record 157th race, after winning his 156th in April.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our friend John Force. He’s a really tough guy,” NASCAR great Tony Stewart, who races in the NHRA’s Top Fuel class, wrote to X.
Force teammate Austin Prock won the event later Sunday.
“(The trophy) will go straight to John Force Hospital,” he said.
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NHRA Funny Car driver John Force during qualifying for the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway on June 8, 2024 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Mark J. Rebillas-USA Today Sports)
“It’s tough to see something like that happen to somebody, especially someone you really care about, but I know he’ll be back. We’re race car drivers and we have to switch it up. I know John would have wanted us to be here and race and I’m happy we got the job done.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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