John Force conscious after fire accident at Virginia Motorsports Park | Racing news

Legendary NHRA driver John Force, 75, was conscious and communicating with safety personnel following his fiery high-speed crash Sunday during the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

The incident occurred during the first round of Funny Car eliminations when Force’s car suffered an engine explosion at the finish line. The vehicle crossed the center line, struck the left concrete barrier, then swung back across the track and struck the right wall.

In 2007, at the age of 58, Force suffered serious injuries in a racing accident in Ennis, Texas.



According to John Force Racing, he was initially examined at the racetrack by the NHRA medical team before being flown to a medical facility for further evaluation.

Just three weeks earlier, Force had earned his record-breaking 157th NHRA victory and his second win of the season in New Hampshire.

“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.”