John Force is an NHRA Funny Car legend, winning 16 championships in 34 seasons. However, it wasn’t the easiest path to glory for the champ. Force did not bag a single win for a decade after starting his career. His first victory came at the Grand National in Montreal, Canada, when he was 38. No one would have imagined him having such a decorated career then.

However, the veteran beating all the odds and powering through critics of early career failures set an almost untouchable record. He won 10 straight Funny Car championships (1993 to 2002) and was en route to his 17th before a horrific crash at the Virginia Nationals put things on hold. A driver loved for his on-track prowess and off-track demeanor is back after a long recovery journey, and fans take a sigh of relief as they await him to take back the wheel.

John Force is back!

At the Virginia Nationals, Force won the heat by clocking a speed of 302 mph. However, his car’s engine failed and exploded, and his car dove headfirst into the concrete barrier. Anyone who watched the crash had chills. Force sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a fractured sternum, along with other injuries. The 75-year-old was immediately airlifted to a Virginia hospital for treatment. After spending two weeks there, he was moved to a specialized facility at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix for continued recovery. He also received specialized treatment for brain injuries, fractures, and additional physical injuries.

However, John Force is truly a force to reckon with. After 4 months in the hospital, he has finally recovered and is making a comeback, not as a racer but as a spectator. After being absent for four months, Force would in-person attend the races in Las Vegas this week. Ahead of the weekend, he uttered his first words since the crash. Recently FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass shared an update on X and quoted him, “John Force will attend the NHRA races next week in Vegas. Force: “I’m still a work in progress. I have good days and bad days.”

John Force, also in a YouTube video posted by his team, John Force Racing, looked completely recovered and back to his jolly self. In the video, Force said, “Hi, I’m John Force, 16-time Funny Car champ, and boy am I glad to be here after that crash I had in Richmond, but at the end of the day, I’m going to recover, and I’m getting better already…”I’m still working every day to get my body back in shape, but I got to get my mind back in shape. I took a pretty big hit in that crash at Richmond, so I’ve been in the hospital there in Richmond. I’ve been in Phoenix, Arizona, going through rehab, and I’m out here now, and I’m working at it every day.”

John Force appreciated all the fans who constantly sent their prayers for his speedy recovery. He said, “I love all the fans, and I love your letters and all the things that you’ve written and all your support. You’ve really been good to me in a hard time…I want to take a minute and thank you. I want to tell you I love you for the cards and the gifts and everything because you showed me that you cared at a time when I needed help.” And the fans love him back just as much!

Fans are delighted to finally hear from the NHRA legend

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Force, further in the video, gave an update on his recovery and announced he’ll be coming to the track. He said, “I’ve had four or five months that I’ve been laying in hospitals, going through rehab, and I’m going to get better. I’m under doctor’s orders. They tell me where I can go. I think they’re going to tell me this week that I can go to the Las Vegas race,” Force added.

Such a speedy recovery after so many injuries is indicative that John Force is at the peak of his fitness even at 75. A fan bowing down to him in respect wrote, “A Force to be reckoned with…” Another fan was overjoyed to hear from the legend and is hoping to see him soon. The fan wrote, “We love you John! See you soon.” 

Fans throughout the time Force was in recovery have kept tabs on him, eagerly waiting for updates from JF Racing. And the team and Force family did a great job keeping the fans in the loop. Finally, getting to hear from the legend himself has left a fan extremely pleased. One fan wrote, “Oh my goodness! It’s so wonderful to see and hear from you, John! You look fantastic! Continued thoughts and prayers on your recover.” And fans’ wait to see Force is finally over as he is coming to the Vegas track, where he’d have a lot to cheer for!

JFR’s Austin Prock is currently leading the Funny Car division en route to his first championship. Even Force’s replacement after the crash, Jack Beckman, is in 2nd place in the standings. Not only that his daughter and two-time NHRA Top Fuel dragster champion, Brittany Force, currently 8th in the championship standings, but she will also be seen in her element in Vegas. There is a lot of action for Force to catch in the Vegas weekend. And a fan is eager to see him there, as he wrote, “Hope to see you in Vegas 🐐”

Force is one of the most revered names in NHRA. And if you are a Funny Car fan, you are a John Force fan; such has been his dominance over the years. Amongst the countless heartfelt messages from fans, one wrote, “Extremely happy to see you well.” 

Hopefully, we get to soon see Force take the wheel. What do you feel about him coming back? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.