Update: John Force Racing issued more information after the Fourth of July holiday, expanding on the injuries sustained in the violent and devastating accident incurred during the NHRA Virginia Nationals a few weeks ago. Following his emergence from heavy sedation, he is showing signs of improvement from his traumatic brain injury. Force has been able to walk, with assistance, demonstrating his resilience and determination to bounce back from his injuries. Moreover, on the list of ailments are a fractured right wrist and sternum. He has been moved out of the neuro ICU and into acute neuro care.
The 75-year-old racer began his professional career in 1978 and is the biggest star in drag racing, helping elevate the sport to new heights. He currently boasts 157 wins, with the last one coming a month ago during the New England Nationals, held at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire.
Force’s daughters and wife are by his side, while Austin Prock, the heir apparent to his funny car throne, flies the John Force Racing flag at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Ohio. Prock is currently the number one qualifier and set the track record with a blistering 3.853 seconds. Interestingly, the young funny car driver also captured the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty shootout win over Bob Tasca III on his way to the top of the qualifying sheet.
The accident in Virginia is still undergoing investigation by NHRA officials. Several safety devices are integrated into the nitro-burning machines, which deploy parachutes in the event of explosive incidents like the one Force experienced during the opening round of competition. The excessive impact on the retaining wall occurred at a high rate of speed, raising questions among experts and fans regarding why the parachutes did not deploy to help decelerate the Peak Performance sponsored Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car. Fortunately, the NHRA technical and engineering staff have made remarkable strides in safety over the last 70-plus years of NHRA drag racing. Therefore, we are confident they will continue to innovate and implement new safety equipment across the sport based on their ongoing findings.
