Legendary NHRA driver John Force has been taken to the hospital for observation following a terrifying crash Sunday at the Virginia NHRA Nationals qualifying session.
The 75-year-old driver’s Nitro Funny Car blew its engine, burst into flames, veered right and then careened back across the track into the wall, where the flames exploded into a fireball and the car suffered extreme damage.
According to a report by Tennessee Sports Net, the 16-time NHRA champion was taken to a hospital for observation.
ESPN’s Ryan McGee reported that Force was alert. McGee called the crash “Not as bad as his Dallas crash of ’07, but super scary. He was 58 then. He’s 75 now.”
Force has done it all as a driver and as a championship team owner in the sport. His daughters, Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force, and Courtney Force, all followed in his footsteps as a racer.
The racing icon developed a following well beyond the Funny Car world. Longtime NASCAR driver and broadcaster Kenny Wallace was among those sharing well wishes for the legend.
“I’m thinking of my hero, John Force. Praying he is okay,” Wallace posted on X.
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About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.