Legendary 16-time National Hot Rod Association Funny Car world champion John Force will retire after four decades of racing.
Force, 76, confirmed during a media luncheon at his race shop in Yorba Linda, California, on Thursday that he will retire as a driver. This decision comes after a crash at Virginia Motorsports Park, where he sustained a traumatic brain injury that has kept him away from racing.
The incident occurred on June 23, 2024, during the first round of Funny Car eliminations when the engine exploded as Force approached the finish line at nearly 300 mph, causing him to crash into the concrete wall. Since the accident, Force has spent a significant amount of time in the hospital undergoing rehabilitation.
“I really love NHRA but I am officially done with driving,” Force said in a statement. “I’ve said so many times, ‘Until this race car kills me, they’re gonna have to drag me out of the seat.’ But the truth is, I was dragged out of the seat at Richmond and they thought it killed me then. So, I’m lucky that I’m back walking. They always say never say never, but I have grandchildren with Courtney and Graham, with Ashley and Danny, and now Brittany’s retired because she wants to have children.”
Force began his career in 1970 and has won 16 NHRA Funny Car Championships, accumulating 157 event wins, 269 final round appearances and 1,460 round wins in competition. Force is expected to remain active in overseeing the John Force Racing organization, where his daughter, Brittany Force, is a Top Fuel driver. She is retiring at the end of the season.
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