John Force Hospitalized After Fiery Crash at NHRA Virginia Nationals
NHRA great John Force was alert and talking to 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 exploded Force’s car at the finish line, with the vehicle going across the center line and striking the left concrete guard wall, then careening back across 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 at age 58, Force was seriously injured in a racing crash in Ennis, Texas.
“We’re keeping our pal John Force in our thought and prayers. He’s one tough cookie,” said Tony Stewart, the former NASCAR star who now races in NHRA’s Top Fuel class.
On Sunday, long after Force’s accident, teammate Austin Prock won the Funny Car division, topping Bob Tasca III in the final round.
“[The trophy] is going straight to the hospital to John Force,” Prock said from the winners’ circle.
“It’s just tough to see somebody go through that, especially when it’s somebody you really care about, but I know he’ll be back. We’re race car drivers and we have to flip the switch. I know John wanted us to be out here, going rounds, and I’m glad we did our job.”
Verstappen Making the Difference as Norris Challenges
McLaren had a quick car in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, the quickest according to some rivals, but Max Verstappen once again made the difference, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said.
Triple Formula One world champion Verstappen took his seventh win in 10 races from second on the grid with McLaren’s Lando Norris on pole.
The win stretched the triple world champion’s overall lead to a mighty 69 points, with Norris now his closest title challenger.
“Job one was passing Lando into turn one,” Horner told reporters of how it all turned out right despite Mercedes’ George Russell stealing the lead at the start.
“And then it was a race that was always going to be dominated by tyre wear. And so being quick to pass George was crucial. And he pushed hard on that first lap or two to get the pass on George.
“Today was all about not making any mistakes and Max drove a perfect race.
“Last year was a unicorn year and now is a more normal year where it’s not normal to win all of the races all of the time and we’re having to fight very, very hard for them. And Max is making the key difference.”
Red Bull won 21 of 22 races last year, the most dominant season on record, with Verstappen triumphant in 19.
This season there have already been four different winners, including Norris in Miami, and four different pole sitters in the last four races. Red Bull have also set the fastest lap only twice.
Verstappen’s Mexican teammate Sergio Perez has scored barely half the number of points as the champion and is languishing in fifth place overall.
Horner said Norris would have been hard to beat at the Circuit de Catalunya had he not messed up the start and lost track position. Verstappen was leading from lap three and then able to build a buffer.
The McLaren and Red Bull finished 2.2 seconds apart, after Norris fought back, and well clear of the rest.
“I would say that Lando has emerged from the pack as the most consistent challenger,” Horner said of a 24-year-old who has now had four second places and a win from the last six rounds.
Norris said moving up to second in the championship, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, was of secondary importance to closing the gap in performance to Verstappen.
“I think we should have done better today. We should have got some points back on Max. Potentially, there was a chance to beat him in Canada. So two races that I finished second and he’s won,” he said.
“Even though I moved into second in the championship, that doesn’t matter,” he added. “I couldn’t care if I was second or 10th. It’s more about the gap to what Max is and he’s still extending it at the minute…
“There’s a lot of, and there kind of always has been, a lot of ‘shoulda, woulda, couldas’. But we have what it takes [to win]. It’s just about putting it all together.”
Conclusion
John Force, the legendary NHRA racer, has once again shown his resilience after a fiery crash during the Virginia Nationals. As he recovers, the racing community rallies around him, hoping for his swift return to the track. Meanwhile, in the world of Formula One, Max Verstappen continues to demonstrate his dominance, making the crucial difference in races and maintaining a significant lead in the championship. Both Force and Verstappen embody the spirit of racing: relentless, determined, and always pushing the limits.
FAQs:
What happened to John Force at the NHRA Virginia Nationals?
John Force, a legendary NHRA racer, was involved in a fiery crash during the event. His Funny Car suffered an engine explosion at the finish line, causing the car to strike both guard walls before coming to a stop.
How is John Force doing after the crash?
Following the crash, John Force was alert and communicating with safety workers. He was examined at the track by the NHRA medical team before being transported to a medical facility for further evaluation. Force’s exact injuries have not been disclosed.
What is John Force’s racing history?
John Force is a highly successful NHRA racer, having won 16 Funny Car titles and accumulated 157 NHRA race wins throughout his career. He began his professional drag racing career in 1978 and has since become one of the most iconic figures in the sport.
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