Legendary National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) racer John Force was involved in a horrific accident at a drag race in Virginia on Sunday.
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 burns up tires on his JFR 500 Peak Chevy ’22 Camaro SS during the NHRA New England Nationals on June 1, 2024 in Epping, New Hampshire. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The NHRA released a statement about the incident.
“During the first round of Funny Car qualifying for the Play NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park on Sunday, 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 organization 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.”
NHRA legend John Force speaks with media members prior to the Pennzoil 400 (NASCAR Cup Series presented by Jiffy Lube) race on March 3, 2024 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Jeff Speer/LVMS/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Race fans took to social media to offer prayers for Force.
Force, 75, is a 16-time NHRA champion and a 22-time winner as a racing team owner, winning 10 consecutive titles as a driver from 1993 to 2002.
Force won his 156th career race in April.
“You just face the reality of life. Time is running out, so you’re just hanging in there,” Force said of his career at the time. “I was just saying this morning, ‘Maybe this is the last time. Maybe I should just get out the door and go to the casino.'”
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John Force during elimination in the third round of the 2024 Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee on June 9, 2024. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Then all of a sudden I won, my weight changed, my personality changed. Everything worked out and I got the win, so I’m excited.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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