National Hot Rod Association great John Force was alert and talking to safety workers immediately after a fiery 300 mph crash Sunday at the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
John Force Racing said that the 75-year-old Force – a world racing legend — was examined at the track by the NHRA medical team before being transported by medical helicopter to a facility for further evaluation.
During the first round of Funny Car eliminations, the the engine exploded in Force's car at the finish, with the vehicle crossing the center line and hitting the left concrete guard wall, then backing up into the right wall.
Three weeks ago at New Hampshire, Force raced to his 157th NHRA victory and second of the season.
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In 2007, at the age of 58, Force was seriously injured in a racing accident in Ennis, Texas.
“We keep our friend John Force in our thoughts and prayers. He's a tough cookie,” Tony Stewart, the former NASCAR star who now races in the NHRA's Top Fuel class, he wrote on social media.
We keep our friend John Force in our thoughts and prayers. It's a tough cookie. #TSRnitro | #NHRA | @TonyStewart | @NHRA | @JFR_Racing pic.twitter.com/k5BZY4EFel
— Tony Stewart Racing Nitro (@TSRnitro) June 23, 2024
Have you ever attended any kind of motor racing?
And many X users agreed.
It sure is!
— Andy Gurley (@AndyGurley1) June 23, 2024
It is a very tough GOAT 🙏🙏
— Nick Wells @sprinta27 (@NickWel48314685) June 24, 2024
My husband met him last year in Sonoma. She said he was very friendly and funny. Praying for a speedy recovery 🙏🏼
— W Azevedo (@Azevedo2W) June 24, 2024
On Sunday, long after Force's crash, teammate Austin Prock won the Funny Car division, edging Bob Tasca III in the final round.
The trophy “goes straight to the hospital to John Force,” Prock said from the winner's circle.
“It's hard to see someone go through this, especially when it's someone you really care about, but I know he'll be back. We're race car drivers and we have to turn on the switch. I know John wanted us to be out here, giving laps and I'm glad we did our job.”
This Associated Press story was not reviewed by The Western Journal prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or otherwise not meet our usual editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service of The Western Journal.
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