75-year-old John Force on alert after fire accident at Virginia Motorsports Park

DINWIDDIE, Va. (AP) — NHRA legend John Force was alert and talking with safety staff immediately after the fiery 300-mph crash Sunday at the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

John Force Racing said Force, 75, was examined by the NHRA medical team at the race track before being transported by rescue helicopter to a facility for further evaluation.

During the first round of Funny Car eliminations, the engine of Force’s car exploded at the finish line, the car crossed the center line, struck the left concrete barrier, and then bounced back into the right wall.

Three weeks ago, Force drove to his 157th NHRA victory and second of the season in New Hampshire. In 2007, Force was seriously injured in a racing accident in Ennis, Texas, at the age of 58.

“Thinking of our buddy John Force and praying for him. He’s a tough guy,” Tony Stewart, the former NASCAR star who now drives in the NHRA Top Fuel class, said on social media.

On Sunday, long after Force’s accident, his teammate Austin Prock won the Funny Car division, beating Bob Tasca III on the final lap.

“(The trophy) goes straight to the hospital to John Force,” said Prock from the winners’ circle.

“It’s just tough to see someone go through something like that, especially when it’s someone you really care about. But I know he’ll come back. We’re racers and we have to flip the switch. I know John wanted us to be out here doing our laps and I’m glad we did our job.”

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