Drag racing icon John Force, a name synonymous with speed and victory in the NHRA, is set to make a welcomed return to the track. After a period of recovery following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Force has been medically cleared to attend the 24th NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip in Las Vegas Motor Speedway, scheduled for November 1-3. This exciting news comes as two of his race teams are fiercely competing for the NHRA Mission Foods Funny Car Championship, and his daughter Brittany Force continues to showcase her championship-caliber talent in Top Fuel.
“Vegas is close enough to home that Laurie and I can drive over,” Force stated, expressing his eagerness to rejoin the racing community. “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.”
At 75 years old, the Yorba Linda, California resident and Hall of Famer is not only battling back from the TBI sustained in a June 23rd crash in Richmond, Virginia, but also addressing the cumulative effects of a lifetime of high-impact racing. His 50-year career is marked by an astounding 157 NHRA tour victories and 16 championships, testaments to his enduring passion and resilience.
Before the unfortunate crash, Force was enjoying a successful season, having already secured two wins, positioning his PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet team as strong contenders for the championship. Following his injury and absence from two races, the team demonstrated remarkable adaptability by bringing in former World Champion Jack Beckman to drive the PEAK Camaro starting at Brainerd, Minnesota.
Beckman has proven to be a valuable asset, highlighted by his victory at the NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis on September 30th. Heading into the Las Vegas event, which is the penultimate race in the Countdown to the Championship, Beckman is in a strong position, trailing only his teammate Austin Prock in the Mission Foods Funny Car driver standings. Prock, with seven wins under his belt in the Cornwell Tools and AAA Chevrolet, leads the charge, making it a John Force Racing team battle at the top.
Force acknowledged his ongoing recovery process, saying, “I’m still a work in progress. I have good days and bad days, but I’m motivated.” He expressed his enthusiasm for the performance of his teams, particularly highlighting Beckman’s contributions: “Beckman’s been doing a good job working with Dan Hood, (Chris) Cunningham and (Tim) Fabrisi. He tells me it’s still my car but he’s driving it like it’s his. It’s been exciting to watch him and (Austin) Prock on Fox, but watching on TV is not the same as being there.”
His desire to be present extends beyond the Funny Car teams. Force is also keen to support his daughter Brittany and her Top Fuel team. “I want to be there for Brittany and that team with (David) Grubnic and John Collins. They’re gonna win a race with Monster and HendrickCars.com and Chevrolet, and I want to be there when they do,” Force emphasized. “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.”
John Force’s planned attendance at the NHRA Nevada Nationals is not just a personal milestone in his recovery, but also a significant morale boost for his teams, fans, and the entire NHRA community. His presence will undoubtedly add to the excitement of the event as the championship battles intensify. The racing world eagerly anticipates seeing the legendary John Force back in action, supporting his teams and soaking in the atmosphere he so dearly loves.
