National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) legend John Force was involved in a horrific incident at a drag race in Virginia on Sunday.
Force was driving his Funny Car down the track, as he had thousands of times before, when his engine exploded, leading him to drift across the centerline and into the wall. His truck crossed back over the line and collided with the guard wall again.
The NHRA put out a statement on the incident
During the first round of Funny Car eliminations at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park, John Force’s Funny Car experienced an engine explosion at the finish line and then crossed the centerline, striking both guard walls before coming to a halt,” the organization stated. “Force was alert and was examined onsite by the NHRA Medical Team before being transported to a local medical facility for further evaluation.”
Race fans offered prayers for Force across social media.
Force, 75, has won 16 NHRA championships and 22 championships as a race team owner. Between 1993 and 2002, he won ten consecutive titles as a driver. Force won the 156th race of his career in April.
“I’m just facing the truth in life, that, you know, time’s running out, and I’m trying to hang on,” Force said of his career at the time. “This morning, I was talking about, ‘You know, maybe this is it, maybe I should just walk out the gate and go to the casino.’
And then all of sudden you win and your weight and your personality just changes. Things went right, and I got the win, so I’m excited.”
