NHRA legend John Force, 75, has been cleared by his doctors to attend the 24th NHRA Nevada Nationals, scheduled for November 1-3, 2024, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This marks his first appearance at a race since suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a severe crash on June 23, 2024, at Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Virginia.
Force’s return is driven by his desire to support his racing teams and express gratitude to his fans and sponsors. He stated, “I want to show my support for our race teams, the fans, and all our sponsors. They’ve stuck with me during a hard time, and I want them to know that I haven’t forgotten them and I haven’t gone anywhere. I’ve just been doing my rehab, trying to stay strong.”
Before his accident, Force had secured two victories in the 2024 season and was a strong contender for the championship. Following his injury, former world champion Jack Beckman stepped in to drive Force’s PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro, achieving a win at the NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis on September 30. Currently, Beckman is second in the Mission Foods Funny Car standings, trailing only teammate Austin Prock.
Reflecting on his recovery, Force acknowledged, “I’m still a work in progress. I have good days and bad days, but I’m motivated.” He expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with his teams and witnessing their performances firsthand, emphasizing his eagerness to support his daughter Brittany and her team as they aim for a victory.
In a video message to his supporters, Force conveyed his appreciation, saying, “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.”
Force’s return to the racing scene underscores his resilience and dedication to the sport, as well as his commitment to his teams, fans, and sponsors.
