Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Funny Car Legend John Force, 75, Alert After Fiery Crash in Virginia
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 10 months ago on
June 24, 2024

NHRA great John Force was alert and talking to safety workers immediately after a fiery, 300-mph crash Sunday in the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. (AP/Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

DINWIDDIE, Va. — NHRA great John Force was alert and talking to safety workers immediately after a fiery, 300-mph crash Sunday in the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

John Force Racing said the 75-year-old Force was examined at the track by the NHRA Medical Team before being transported by medical helicopter to a facility for further evaluation.

Details of the Crash

During the first round of Funny Car eliminations, the engine exploded Force’s car at the finish line, with the vehicle going across the centerline and striking the left concrete guard wall, then careening back across into the right wall.

Three weeks ago in New Hampshire, Force raced to his record 157th NHRA victory and second of the season. In 2007 at age 58, Force was seriously injured in a racing crash in Ennis, Texas.

“We’re keeping our pal John Force in our thought and prayers. He’s one tough cookie,” Tony Stewart, the former NASCAR star who now races in NHRA’s Top Fuel class, said on social media.

Teammate’s Victory

On Sunday, long after Force’s accident, teammate Austin Prock won the Funny Car division, topping Bob Tasca III in the final round.

“(The trophy) is going straight to the hospital to John Force,” Prock said from the winners’ circle.

“It’s just tough to see somebody go through that, especially when it’s somebody you really care about, but I know he’ll be back. We’re race car drivers and we have to flip the switch. I know John wanted us to be out here, going rounds and I’m glad we did our job.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Timberwolves Push Lakers to Edge of Elimination With Comeback Win

DON'T MISS

Dodgers Overcome Early Deficit for Victory Over the Pirates

DON'T MISS

Suspected US Airstrike Hits Yemen Migrant Centre; Houthi TV Says 68 Killed

DON'T MISS

Norway Establishes Diplomatic Relations With State of Palestine

DON'T MISS

Kim Kardashian Jewel Heist Trial Starts in Paris

DON'T MISS

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Ejected, Killed in High-Speed Wreck Following Pursuit

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Naomi Kaylynn Acker

DON'T MISS

Conclave to Elect a New Pope Will Start on May 7 as Cardinals Get to Know One Another

DON'T MISS

California Faces Automaker Backlash Over 2035 Gas Car Ban

UP NEXT

Dodgers Overcome Early Deficit for Victory Over the Pirates

UP NEXT

Suspected US Airstrike Hits Yemen Migrant Centre; Houthi TV Says 68 Killed

UP NEXT

Norway Establishes Diplomatic Relations With State of Palestine

UP NEXT

Kim Kardashian Jewel Heist Trial Starts in Paris

UP NEXT

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Ejected, Killed in High-Speed Wreck Following Pursuit

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Naomi Kaylynn Acker

UP NEXT

Conclave to Elect a New Pope Will Start on May 7 as Cardinals Get to Know One Another

UP NEXT

California Faces Automaker Backlash Over 2035 Gas Car Ban

UP NEXT

Wall Street Mixed in Start to Busy Week for Earnings, Data

Norway Establishes Diplomatic Relations With State of Palestine

19 minutes ago

Kim Kardashian Jewel Heist Trial Starts in Paris

27 minutes ago

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

33 minutes ago

Fresno Man Ejected, Killed in High-Speed Wreck Following Pursuit

41 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Naomi Kaylynn Acker

56 minutes ago

Conclave to Elect a New Pope Will Start on May 7 as Cardinals Get to Know One Another

1 hour ago

California Faces Automaker Backlash Over 2035 Gas Car Ban

1 hour ago

Wall Street Mixed in Start to Busy Week for Earnings, Data

1 hour ago

Will California Meet Newsom’s 2035 EV Deadline? It Won’t Even Hit the 2026 Target 

1 day ago

Trump Says Putin May Not Want Peace and May Need to Be ‘Dealt With Differently’

2 days ago

Timberwolves Push Lakers to Edge of Elimination With Comeback Win

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves have found a new gear after a regular season of fits and starts. Jaden McDaniels converted a three-...

3 minutes ago

3 minutes ago

Timberwolves Push Lakers to Edge of Elimination With Comeback Win

7 minutes ago

Dodgers Overcome Early Deficit for Victory Over the Pirates

Injured African migrants lie on hospital beds after a strike hit a detention centre hosting African migrants, in Saada, Yemen April 28, 2025. (REUTERS/Naif Rahma)
11 minutes ago

Suspected US Airstrike Hits Yemen Migrant Centre; Houthi TV Says 68 Killed

Norway officially established diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine on Thursday, April 24, 2025, strengthening its support for Palestinian independence amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. (Shutterstock)
19 minutes ago

Norway Establishes Diplomatic Relations With State of Palestine

Kim Kardashian arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscars party after the 97th Academy Awards, in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. (REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/File Photo)
27 minutes ago

Kim Kardashian Jewel Heist Trial Starts in Paris

Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner (33) reacts after dunking over Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP/Jeffrey Phelps)
33 minutes ago

NBA Playoff Guide: Who Plays When, How to Watch, What the Odds Are

fresno
41 minutes ago

Fresno Man Ejected, Killed in High-Speed Wreck Following Pursuit

Naomi Kaylynn Acker is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for April 28, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
56 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Naomi Kaylynn Acker

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend