Drag racing icon John Force, the driving force behind John Force Racing, made a poignant return to the racetrack at Bradenton Motorsports Park for the PRO Superstar Shootout in 2025. This marked his first appearance on track since a severe crash in 2024.
In June 2024, John Force experienced a high-speed, devastating crash at the Virginia Nationals. The accident, occurring at over 300 mph, resulted in a traumatic brain injury, sidelining him from competition and necessitating a significant period of recovery in the hospital. His absence from the driver’s seat was deeply felt by fans and the John Force Racing team alike.
Despite aiming for a comeback, Force confirmed ahead of the 2025 NHRA season that he was still in recovery and not yet ready to race. However, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his team and the sport, Force attended races towards the end of the 2024 season and made a powerful symbolic appearance with his team at Bradenton in 2025. This appearance was a clear signal of his ongoing recovery and his intent to remain deeply involved with John Force Racing.
While John Force’s presence was a morale boost, the PRO Superstar Shootout also saw impressive performances from his team. Ron Capps ultimately won the Bradenton race, narrowly defeating John Force Racing driver Austin Prock in the final round. Despite this runner-up finish, the event was considered invaluable preparation for the John Force Racing team as they geared up for the NHRA Mission Foods Series, commencing on March 7 at the Gatornationals. Adding to the excitement, Austin Prock achieved a remarkable 3.791-second run in the final qualifying session, highlighting the team’s competitive edge.
Following the weekend, Force conveyed a deeply emotional message, expressing his feelings in a press release from John Force Racing: “My wife, Laurie, told me I needed to get back in the game. And being here in Bradenton was just good for my heart. Watching everybody work, watching the cars and the teams and seeing old friends like Capps, it was just special.” His words resonated with fans and the racing community, underscoring his passion for the sport.
He continued, “We didn’t win, but I was excited just to be where I need to be. Running my teams and supporting Cornwell, PEAK, Monster, HendrickCars.com and all our other partners. I can’t wait to get to Gainesville. To tell you the truth, this is the first time since Richmond I really felt alive again.” This statement powerfully illustrated the emotional toll of his injury and the revitalizing effect of being back at the track with his John Force Racing family.
Reflecting on his recovery in late 2024, Force had shared, “I’m still going to therapy every week and working as hard as I can to get back out there with the sponsors and the fans in a sport I love and I miss. I’ve still got a lot of things I want to do, so I don’t want anybody thinking they’ve seen the last of John Force. We’ll have a lot more to talk about after the holidays.” His determination to return to racing remains a central theme in John Force Racing News.
The entire John Force Racing team and their supporters are now looking forward to the full 2025 NHRA season, anticipating exciting races and further updates on John Force’s potential return to the driver’s seat. The NHRA 2025 season schedule is as follows:
| Date | Event Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 6-9 | NHRA Gatornationals | Gainesville Raceway |
| March 21-23 | NHRA Arizona Nationals | Firebird Motorsports Park |
| March 27-30 | Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals | In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip |
| April 11-13 | NHRA Four-Wide Nationals | The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
| April 25-27 | NHRA Four-Wide Nationals | zMax Dragway |
| May 15-18 | Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals | Route 66 Raceway |
| May 30 – June 1 | NHRA New England Nationals | New England Dragway |
| June 6-8 | NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals | Bristol Dragway |
| June 20-22 | NHRA Virginia Nationals | Virginia Motorsports Park |
| June 26-29 | Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals | Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park |
| July 18-20 | NHRA Northwest Nationals | Pacific Raceways |
| July 25-27 | DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals | Sonoma Raceway |
| August 14-17 | Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals | Brainerd International Raceway |
| August 27 – Sept 1 | Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals | Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park |
| September 11-14 | NHRA Reading Nationals | Maple Grove Raceway |
| September 19-21 | NHRA Carolina Nationals | zMax Dragway |
| September 26-28 | NHRA Midwest Nationals | World Wide Technology Raceway |
| October 9-12 | Texas NHRA FallNationals | Texas Motorplex |
| October 24-25 | NHRA Showcase of Speed | South Georgia Motorsports Park |
| October 30 – Nov 2 | NHRA Nevada Nationals | The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
| November 13-16 | In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals | In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip |
John Force’s return to the track, even in a non-driving capacity, signifies a major step in his recovery and a continued dedication to John Force Racing. The team’s performance at Bradenton and Force’s emotional reconnection with the racing environment set a positive tone for the upcoming NHRA season, fueling anticipation among fans and within the John Force Racing camp.
