NHRA Funny Car icon John Force was rushed to a hospital near Richmond on Sunday afternoon after a dramatic and harrowing crash during the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals’ first round.
The 75-year-old, a veteran with 157 wins under his belt, was racing at an incredible 302.62 mph when disaster struck. His PEAK Chevy Camaro exploded into a massive fireball, sending him careening across the track and crashing hard into the wall beside the driver’s compartment. The impact was so severe that his car lifted off the ground before slamming into the opposite wall.
Force’s teammate, Austin Prock, who had just secured his own first-round victory, was visibly shaken by the incident. “He’s one tough son of a bitch, I know that. He’ll be back,” Prock emotionally declared. “It’s just tough to see somebody go through that. I hope he’s all right. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I know he’ll be back.”
Meanwhile, Force’s daughter, Brittany Force, a two-time Top Fuel champion, was also racing that day and provided an update on her father’s condition. “My dad’s going to be all right. I was in the ambulance with him, holding his hand,” she assured. “He’s one of the toughest people I know. So he’ll bounce back, like he always does.”
Prock continued to race in the second round, eliminating Ron Capps and expressing determination to perform for Force. “We’re race-car drivers, and we have to flip the switch,” Prock explained. “You got at-home Austin Prock, and you got race-car driver Austin Prock. You got to flip the switch and get the job done. I know John wants us to be out here, going rounds. Maybe we can get him a Wally.”
The incident left the racing community in shock and concern. Fellow Funny Car racer Ron Capps reflected on the emotional toll of witnessing Force’s accident. “The old man having that accident was tough to watch,” Capps admitted. “You start thinking, ‘Man, what are we doing?’ We don’t know how he is.”
Reigning Funny Car champion Matt Hagan echoed the sentiments of many, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “My main thought is I hope John’s okay,” Hagan said. “You hate to see him go through that. Send prayers up for him. He’s a legend of the sport, the GOAT.”
Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier Shawn Langdon summed up the collective sentiment among drivers. “We love what we do, but we’re all thinking about John at this point.”