A car driven by veteran racer John Force burst into flames as it crossed the finish line Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park.
The 75-year-old wheelman somehow survived the dramatic 300-mph wreck that also saw his vehicle bounce off a pair of concrete guard walls. An engine explosion was to blame for the fiery fiasco, the Associated Press reports.
Just now seeing John Force's crash. One of the biggest of his career. He was alert and NHRA says he's at hospital for further evaluation. Not as bad as his Dallas crash of '07, but super scary. He was 58 then. He's 75 now. Get well, champ. pic.twitter.com/1gwZN4jb52
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) June 23, 2024
A National Hot Rod Association (NRHA) medical crew examined Force before he was airlifted to an area hospital for further examination. Force’s team said on its website its leader spent the night under observation in an intensive care unit.
Force’s teammate Austin Prock stayed focused on the race and won the 14th PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals for the John Force Racing team.
“[The trophy] is going straight to the hospital to John Force,’ Prock said from the winners’ circle, according to his team. ‘He’s one tough son-of-a-bitch, I know that.”
Force’s wild success on the racetrack has sparked cheating rumors dating back 30 years. In 1995, he said he took such explanations for his dominance as “a compliment.”
Force sped to a record 157th NHRA victory in New Hampshire earlier this month. He announced Prock as his successor around that time, but said that was something his 28-year-old apprentice still had to earn.
According to AutoWeek, Prock said he was up for the challenge during a race at Tennessee’s Bristol Dragway in early June.
“I’ve told John, you know, we’re teammates, but when we put our helmets on, let’s race each other like we want to kick each other’s ass because that’s how it should be and that’s how the fans want to see it,” he said.
Prock also conceded at the time he wasn’t yet good enough to top his mentor, but hoped to get there. John Force Racing hasn’t responded to an update request on its boss’ status.
With News Wire Services
