John Force, a 75-year-old drag racing legend, recently survived a terrifying crash during the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. Despite the fiery accident that occurred when his funny car’s engine exploded at a speed of 302.62 miles per hour, Force managed to beat Terry Hadcock in the first round. However, he was immediately taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
According to a statement released by John Force Racing, Force was conscious and speaking with NHRA Safety Safari personnel right after the crash. He was then transported to a nearby medical center for further assessment in the ICU. The exact nature and extent of his injuries were not disclosed by the team.
The footage of the crash is truly shocking. The funny car experienced a catastrophic engine failure, narrowly avoiding the right-side wall before careening across the drag strip and colliding with the concrete wall on the left side. Despite being engulfed in flames and losing body parts, the car managed to bounce off the wall and hit the concrete barrier on the other side. Remarkably, the roll cage and cockpit remained intact throughout the ordeal.
Despite his age, John Force is not ready to retire just yet. He has publicly named his 28-year-old teammate, Austin Prock, as his successor. Prock, who won the event while Force was in the hospital, expressed his support for his teammate, stating that the trophy would be going straight to Force. He emphasized the resilience of race car drivers and their ability to switch gears in difficult situations.
This is not the first time Force has been involved in a serious crash. In 2018, he was hospitalized after an incident at the Arizona Nationals. However, Force has proven time and again that age is just a number for him. He has already won two out of the season’s first eight races and currently holds the 2nd position in the NHRA Funny Car standings, just behind Prock.
Despite the dangers and challenges of the sport, John Force remains determined to continue racing and competing at the highest level. His tenacity and spirit serve as an inspiration to fans and fellow racers alike. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the track soon.