NHRA Funny Car Legend John Force Will Attend the Las Vegas Race
Sixteen-time NHRA drag racing champion John Force, gravely injured when he crashed his Funny Car in a race in Richmond, Virginia on June 23, will be going back to the racetrack for the first time since his injury. He’ll be attending the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip in Las Vegas Motor Speedway November 1-3.
Force, 75, has been cleared by his doctors to make the trip to Las Vegas from his home in Yorba Linda, California, suggesting that the Traumatic Brain Injury he suffered is getting better. “Vegas is close enough to home that (my wife) Laurie and I can drive over,” Force said. “I want to show my support for our race teams, the fans and all our sponsors. They’ve stuck with me during a hard time, and I want them to know that I haven’t forgotten them and I haven’t gone anywhere. I’ve just been doing my rehab, trying to stay strong.”
Force also released a message via the John Force Racing YouTube channel in which he shared his progress and thanked the fans for their outpouring of support:
Before the crash, Force had won twice this year and his team was solidly in contention for the championship. After missing two races, that team returned at Brainerd, Minnesota, with former World Champion Jack Beckman in the seat of Force’s Chevrolet Camaro. Beckman’s teammate, Austin Prock, is solidly in the Funny Car points lead, and Force’s daughter Brittany is competing in Top Fuel.
Force acknowledged that doctors have been treating him not only for the injury he suffered in the crash, but for the cumulative effect of the multitude of hard hits he has absorbed in a 50-year career, during which he has won a remarkable 157 times. “I’m still a work in progress,” Force said. “I have good days and bad days, but I’m motivated.”
That’s no surprise. “I want to be there for Brittany and that team with (crew chiefs David) Grubnic and John Collins. They’re gonna win a race with Monster and HendrickCars. and Chevrolet and I want to be there when they do, and I really can’t wait to see all my guys. I love them and I’ve missed them and can’t wait to be with them again.”
I’m glad to see him back and sounding much as himself. He still has a bit to gain yet but our old John will be back. I just hope he manages the team and lets the kids take it from here driving.
Today John is the NHRA. He is that guy everyone knows and associates with the series. In this day and age of drivers with no personally they still need him as an owner and that go to interview.
I have been able to see john at the track and at the shop and I even recall the old Wendy’s years back when his funny car was a Chevy Citation. He has always made the sport fun.