75-year-old John Force cautioned after fiery crash at Virginia Motorsports Park – theporteronline

FILE – Funny Car driver John Force looks to get back on track for the final qualifying day of the NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park, May 21, 2016, in Topeka Kansas. Force raced to his record 157th NHRA victory on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at the age of 75, defeating teammate Austin Prock in the Funny Car final of the NHRA New England Nationals. (Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP)

DINWIDDIE, Va. (AP) — NHRA great John Force was on alert and speaking with 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.

During the first round of Funny Car eliminations, the engine of Force’s car exploded near the finish line, with the vehicle crossing the center line and hitting the left concrete barrier wall before crashing back 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, Force was seriously injured in a racing accident in Ennis, Texas, at the age of 58.

“We keep our friend John Force in our thoughts and prayers. He is tough,” Tony Stewart, the former NASCAR star who now races in NHRA’s Top Fuel class, said on social media.

On Sunday, long after Force’s accident, teammate Austin Prock won the Funny Car division, beating Bob Tasca III on the final lap.

“(The trophy) goes straight to the hospital, to John Force,” Prock said from the winners circle.

“It’s just hard to see someone go through something like that, especially when it’s someone you really care about, but I know he’ll come back. We are race car drivers and we have to flip the switch. I know John wanted us to go around here and I’m glad we did our job.”