Dale Earnhardt Jr. sends heartfelt thoughts to John Force, family after terrifying crash

Dale Earnhardt Jr. closed his most recent episode of the “Dale Jr. Download” by offering some words of encouragement to John Force following his scary wreck during the first round of Sunday’s NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Earnhardt referred to Force as the “Dale Earnhardt of drag racing” before saying he’s thinking of he and his family as he recovers from injuries sustained in the wreck.

“We’ll close out the show with a note about John Force,” Earnhardt said. “John was involved in a terrifying crash at the drag strip this past weekend. Not a ton of information about his injuries, but we just wanna wish John Force the best. Thinking about their family. John was one of our most popular guests, just an entertaining and incredible conversation. I’ve met him many, many times in my life. He was the Dale Earnhardt of drag racing. Just tough as nails and we feel like we know he’s gonna battle through this, whatever injuries there may be. But we’re all thinking of John Force as we close out the show.”

The wreck happened shortly after Force won his qualifying heat. His engine exploded causing his car to burst into a ball of flames. He crossed the track and slammed the wall on his opponent’s side. Then he came back to hit the wall on his side of the track. Force was alert when the safety team got to him, and he was subsequently sent to the hospital.

John Force remains in ICU after scary wreck at Virginia Nationals qualifying

Force remains in the ICU at a Virginia hospital, his team announced Monday.

“After NHRA Safety Safari personnel extricated and stabilized the 16-time champion, he was transported by medical helicopter to a trauma hospital where he still was being observed and evaluated on Monday,” John Force Racing said in a statement. “Attending doctors purposely were moving slowly in assessing the extent of the injuries to the Hall of Fame owner and driver because of the intensity of the impact. Medical staff will not provide a treatment and recovery timetable until a total evaluation is completed.”

“Force’s daughter Brittany, a two-time World Champion, was joined at the hospital by her mother, Laurie, and sisters, Adria, Ashley, and Courtney. The family will maintain a presence while the team completed this weekend in Norwalk, Ohio. Updates on the 157-time tour winner’s condition will be released at the discretion of the medical staff.”

Force, 75, is regarded as one of the best drag racers of all-time with 157 career victories to his name. He holds the title as the winningest driver in NHRA history, winning a record 16 championships, all between 1990-2013.