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NHRA legend John Force taken to hospital after major crash during Virginia Nationals qualifying

JHby:Jonathan Howard•06/23/24•

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John Force Virginia Nationals wreck
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Legendary NHRA champion John Force, 75, was involved in a major crash at Virginia National during qualifying. The 16-time champion found himself with a blown engine and soon bounced from one wall to the other.

Funny Car is a dangerous form of racing. Everything happens quickly and when things go bad, they can go very bad. The wreck John Force was in during qualifying was violent and possibly the worst of his career.

Force was awake and alert following the wreck. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

You hate to see anyone wreck that badly. It is scary and makes you think of the worst. John Force at his age and how beloved he is, it makes it that much worse to see. Force has still been competitive this season and won his fair share of finals.

There are great drivers and then there are icons and legends. Force belongs in the icons and legends category. Not only has he achieved so much, but his children have gone on to do great things in NHRA as well.

Thoughts and prayers for John Force online

Fans and drivers alike have taken to social media to give their thoughts and prayers for John Force. Yes, wrecks happen in NHRA all of the time. Engines blow up. But that is a hard hit for anyone, let alone a 75-year-old man.

Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace made a post sending his prayers up for the drag racer. Wallace called Force his “hero.”

“I am thinking of my hero [John Force]. Praying he is okay.”

All over on social media, posts and photos of John Force are being shared. He is a driver that means a lot to so many. Drivers, fans, people who love cars and motorsports. Let’s hope that Force is able to recover quickly and get back to doing what he loves.