The 75-year-old clocked in a 306.62mph win over Terry Haddock in the right lane at before the engine of his PEAK Chevy Camaro exploded during the high-speed run.
After the scary incident, Force – a 157-time NHRA winner – exited the car and was alert while talking with Safety Safari workers, before he was escorted into an ambulance and taken to a Richmond-area hospital to get checked.
John Force Racing said in a statement Monday night that he was still in a Virginia hospital and that doctors ‘were moving slowly in assessing the extent of the injuries because of the intensity of the impact.’
and concern. Thank you for continuing to respect the privacy of the family and John Force Racing team members.’
Force’s daughter, Brittany, a two-time world champion, was at the hospital with her mother, Laurie, and three sisters.
‘With the unanimous support of her family, team, and sponsors, Brittany Force is not planning to compete this week at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, where she would have driven the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster,’ the statement continued.
‘Instead, she will remain at the hospital with her family in solidarity for her father.’
Force was examined at the track by the NHRA Medical Team before being transported by medical helicopter to the trauma hospital where he is being held.
During the first round of Funny Car eliminations, his car had a catastrophic engine failure at the finish line, with the vehicle going across the centerline and striking the left concrete guard wall, then careening back across into the right wall.
Three weeks ago in New Hampshire, Force raced to his record 157th NHRA victory and second of the season. In 2007 at age 58, he was seriously injured in a racing crash in Ennis, Texas.
