National Hot Rod Association (NHRC) champion John Force was taken to the hospital after his Peak Team Funky car exploded in a spectacular fireball on the track during the first round of qualifying at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Moments after scoring a win in a back-to-back race against driver Terry Haddock, the 75-year-old racing legend’s engine blew up and, in a fit of rage, the car hurtled back and forth from wall to wall like a flaming pinball.
During the trip, it reached a speed of 302.62 mph. Auto Week.
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BREAKING: ⚠️ Legendary NHRA Champion John Force is in a horrific accident during qualifying in Virginia.
developing..
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) June 23, 2024
The well-known driver was able to extricate himself from the car, was conscious and speaking to rescue workers, and was quickly taken to hospital.
“During the first round of Funny Car qualifying for the PlayNHRA 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. SaidAccording to Fox News.
“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.”
Official Statement John ForceFunny Car incident at PlayNHRA #Virginia Nationals. pic.twitter.com/H4xeoVEmN6
—NHRA (@NHRA) June 23, 2024
John Force is a racing great who has won 16 NHRA championship titles and has been a race team owner 22 times, winning 10 consecutive championships from 1993-2002.
Force’s daughter, two-time Top Fuel champion Brittany Force, said her father will be OK. “He’s OK. I was with him in the ambulance, holding his hand. He’s one of the toughest people I know, so he’ll be fine, just like he always is.”
Added Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier Shawn Langdon, “We love what we do, but at this point, we’re all thinking about John.”
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