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.
NEW: NHRA Funny Car legend John Force sent to the hospital after his car exploded during the first round of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.
The 75-year old won the race against Terry Haddock, clocking in at 302.62-mph before his engine exploded.
Force was able to exit the… pic.twitter.com/KolLqbfjPG
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 23, 2024
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.
Related Story: IndyCar Ditches NBC for Fox Sports, Which Now Has Daytona 500 & Indy 500
“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:
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
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

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

Norway Establishes Diplomatic Relations With State of Palestine

Kim Kardashian Jewel Heist Trial Starts in Paris

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

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

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

Wired Wednesday: What’s the Future of Fresno Unified and the Superintendent Position?

Zakaria Draws Parallels Between Trump’s Tariffs, Failed 1930s Economic Policies
