Drag racing legend John Force survives 300 mph crash: 'That was horrifying'

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21 күн бұрын

One day after legendary National Hot Rod Association drag racer John Force escaped a fiery crash at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, track officials and other drivers are sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Пікірлер: 240

@richardross119 19 күн бұрын

Force saved himself. He was instrumental in designing and producing a safer racecar.

@jimthompsonjr4451 19 күн бұрын

Amen. He changed things after Eric.

@jeremyfritz4562 15 күн бұрын

God spared his life. Not by some "force" I understand that he's in serious condition. But if it's God's will, He will live.. I pray for the family of this man. I hope he will retire after he recover from this dangerous crash

@thesinaclwon 14 күн бұрын

He didn’t officially survive yet lol

@BillBowman-vu3jw 13 күн бұрын

Austin Coil was also very much a part of improving safety after Eric’s passing.

@davidwier2862 19 күн бұрын

Survival of a incident like that speaks of how safe the cars are compared to past race cars.

@manga12 19 күн бұрын

yes much of racing is safer thanks to more padding better firesuites, the softer barriors they wreck into when they hit, and having all the tools to get someon out or put out the special fires or emergency treatments for the differant types of injuries, we havent lost anyone in nas car since dale so far and they keep after these drag strips for anything that could cause it to go wrong they walk a knifes edge narrower then the lane they got to stay in on the strip, and thats not wide at all, any fluids debrit or slick spots can not only kill the traction on a run it can put them into the wall or fly up and do great damage even in less fast bracket racing, it is a testament to how far we have come though top fuel nitro, the engine and mechanical things are ment to hold togather just long enough to get it down the track before its rebuilt before the next round the things dont rev up they explode off the line and grenade themselves those engines and clutches, fun fact Miss deJoria drives for the Warsham Fink team they got a garage over here by auburn, I go by the shop there on the back road into the city all the time but never had the courage to stop and see if they would let me visit afraid of being thrown out or hit with tresspassing as it may contain secrets about that funny car, though its usually on the auburn cord and dussenburg garage tour during the labor day car festival and the famed auburn antique car auction. also I didn't know John was going over 300 mph thats insane I thought he was going slower by that point

@kevinket 19 күн бұрын

This was great reporting. Nothing sensationalized; the facts were presented as given and the other drivers and track management did a good job providing additional info about the safety of the sport.

@johnbailey7038 19 күн бұрын

I’m nearing 40 and I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw a news piece like this.

@michaelshelton7761 16 күн бұрын

The reporting was full of erroneous stuff. The engine BLEW at 302 mph. It did NOT hit anything at 302 mph. The glancing wall impacts were hard, but at a much slower velocity.

@billwelter4101 19 күн бұрын

John is tough - he will dust himself off, and ask "where's my backup car"

@bob-qi4nr 19 күн бұрын

John is tougher than a 2 dollar steak.

@iee4g6 18 күн бұрын

He’s in the ICU, per latest reports, but…. OK

@rewadena4371 17 күн бұрын

@@iee4g6I also seen that.

@coldstonestunners 14 күн бұрын

Not this time.

@anthonylaudano9435 13 күн бұрын

WE NEED SOFT WALLS TO START LOL JUST WATCH JOHN FORCE HIT THAT CONCRETE WALL LOL IMAGINE IF IT WAS A SOFT WALL

@j.l.armendariz1483 19 күн бұрын

One of Drag Racings GOATS! HE'S 75 AND TOUGH AS THEY COME. GET BACK SOON JOHN WE LOVE YOU

@TDub_ADV 19 күн бұрын

one of? How about THE GOAT?

@j.l.armendariz1483 19 күн бұрын

He's our Elvis and Richard Petty , and Tom Brady

@randallwyckoff7155 19 күн бұрын

@RenzunShark and your mom sucks so we have that

@zaner69 19 күн бұрын

@@RenzunSharkyou seem fun

@goersfour 19 күн бұрын

and Dale Earnhardt Sr.. tough as cut nails...

@Sig.40 19 күн бұрын

Too old, Force won the race. Engine explosion caused this incident. Not John Forces age. Get well soon John !

@beartiger1553 19 күн бұрын

Well said

@francisschweitzer8431 19 күн бұрын

I hope I’m that capable at 75 as he is. Get well soon John

@proagiowa 14 күн бұрын

Force for President!!

@patrickchavez3848 13 күн бұрын

Did he win the race? I thought he crossed the lane lines before the end?

@Sig.40 13 күн бұрын

@@patrickchavez3848 Force won the race.

@oifmarinesgt 19 күн бұрын

It's amazing how these drivers can walk away from a 300 mile an hour crash with fire all around them and debris. It shows testament to the safety of these vehicles

@1951RKP 19 күн бұрын

No one in professional Drag Racing is close to the wins John Force has with 156 wins. Next closest is Greg Anderson with 105 Pro Stock wins.

@DaltonTaylor-vr3tg 19 күн бұрын

That’s true but you can’t beat the king but in terms of drag racing he is the Jimmie Johnson or Dale Earnhardt or Richard petty

@jam2365 18 күн бұрын

*157 wins

@timburnette5914 18 күн бұрын

75 years old and sitting up. The dudes a livin legend!! 💪🏼 OK

@normal450 19 күн бұрын

How about an actual update on his condition?

@garyjackson3531 19 күн бұрын

John was in the hospital for observation. Brittany was back at the track for the next round of Top Fuel, she lost. Austin Prock, his teammate, won Funny Car. Brittany wouldn't have raced if her dad was seriously injured.

@normal450 19 күн бұрын

@@garyjackson3531 thank you

@rightsideofthegrass8114 19 күн бұрын

Ditto. No update available today that I could find.

@jamesanelle586 19 күн бұрын

How about update on his condition. It’s been 24 hours now

@jeffharper7579 19 күн бұрын

I would not be surprised if he isn't racing his bed through the hall's😆😆👍

@johnfrese9721 19 күн бұрын

Prayers and love I'm being sent to you John hope you're okay you're a tough old bird that's for sure you never quit that's what I like about you and you're always friendly to your fans

@SeeTheManipulation 19 күн бұрын

*@**0:58** No, they are PHENOMENAL. Let's be frank; for a man to escape certain death going 300 miles per hour plus enveloped in a fireball? Yeah, no safety is top grade. Get well John.*

@LaurieWilliams-lk8fc 16 күн бұрын

"escape certain death"?

@toddburgess6792 19 күн бұрын

The Safety Safari was on the wreck in under 5 seconds, in fact before the car even stopped , they were there! John is one tough old bird. He'll be back, hopefully in time for the western swing!

@richkalbus4346 14 күн бұрын

thank you for caring so much about not polluting the air

@brianobrian6637 16 күн бұрын

"John Force IS drag racing" ONE of the best and most respected quotes made!! The MAN is legendary for a reason & Has no only added to that! Wishing him a full recovery, God Bless

@davidmaguire3866 15 күн бұрын

We lived close to his race shop in Yotba Linda CA - he is such a huge part of the community - a role model at a time when we are looking for people to step up and share insight to the next generation Hang tight John Force ! Looking forward to seeing you again at the 4 Wides in Charlotte next year !

@dougfuller7314 14 күн бұрын

I first met John Force at Pomona around 30 years ago, and I've run into him periodically since then. John has a sense of humor unmatched by anyone else I've ever met. He also has an undisputable love of family and racing. John's not going to stop racing until John says so. We're all praying for you.

@Roscoesadie 14 күн бұрын

We have been family friends with John Force for 30 years. We are so glad he survived

@Urfavvbrunette26 14 күн бұрын

Wow!

@Roscoesadie 13 күн бұрын

@@Urfavvbrunette26 my uncle painted his car is for 20 years. Guilty by association

@Urfavvbrunette26 13 күн бұрын

@@Roscoesadie that is amazing! I’m young, but I’ve got to the races with my grandpa since I was 2! I hope he gets better! That is amazing that you have a connection with him!

@Roscoesadie 13 күн бұрын

@@Urfavvbrunette26 yeah he's a great guy. He's like everybody's Grandpa. I have some pictures of him and I together when I was in high school at the races in Pomona California and when he was getting his motorhome built he took us out to dinner.

@jimbrown9477 18 күн бұрын

john force is the chuck norris of racing.

@tikar8982 17 күн бұрын

God bless him! I'm so glad he will be alright ❤ we were at the NW Nationals in Kent Washington when someone DIDN'T survive a crash. It's horrifying to witness. John Force is a freaking legend.

@VWRICH23 18 күн бұрын

i love his hyper post race interviews, no one like him

@riccotter4437 15 күн бұрын

Damn , watta wreck! Thank God for the safety and continued safety innovations that help save lives. May God bless John Force. I pray for his speedy recovery

@michaelshelton7761 17 күн бұрын

Force did NOT hit any concrete wall at 302 mph. If he had hit a wall at 90 degrees at 302 mph, he and the car would have been pulverized. Dead. Finished. Ostensibly, what happened is the engine blew at 302 mph. The several Gs of acceleration immediately switch to deceleration as the car rapidly slowed. That is obvious to anyone. It did a glancing impact on the opposite lane's wall, then came back across and hit the original lane's wall. Both side-impacts were obviously very hard. I guesstimate that the first side impact was in the vicinity of 150 mph or less, the second impact about 100 mph or less. They were glancing impacts. The 90-degree velocity vector on the first impact was probably about 50 mph or less. Not good, that would HURT. The second velocity vector mebbe at 35-40 mph. Still painful. His safety gear and the excellent chassis and restraints saved his life and from getting burned badly. Please, good Lord, state the facts correctly. Engine explosion at 302 mph is not the same as "hit the wall at 302 mph."

@paulday5722 19 күн бұрын

There is no such thing as a minor incident at 300 mph. So thankful John was conscious and alert when they got him out. I'll never understand why the NHRA still hasn't required SAFER barriers at all tracks. It still would have been a hard crash but much less severe with energy absorbing material there.

@stephenscering1776 19 күн бұрын

Safer barriers could cause a spear effect to the car hitting it. So if you want to post hole a driver keep wishing for safer barriers! The drivers are completely aware of the dangers of racing and really don't need you to tell them how to race! Enjoy the races and hope for something else! Safer barriers will KILL people in drag racing!

@garyjackson3531 19 күн бұрын

NHRA and the engineers looked at Safer Barriers decades ago. They were deemed too dangerous.

@paulday5722 18 күн бұрын

@@stephenscering1776 Really? The best thing a 300 mph dragster can ever crash into is a bare cement wall?? And nothing can ever be an improvement? Indy car, NASCAR, and F1 have used SAFER barriers for 2 decades and NOT ONE driver has ever been injured in any way by them. How is that? How are they going to immediately kill every drag racer that touches one? There are no posts anywhere in them so how is anybody going to get "postholed"?

@paulday5722 18 күн бұрын

@@garyjackson3531 There has been a great deal of refinement since that time. If an Indy car can slam into one at 230 mph and the driver walks away without a scratch, how are they "too dangerous" for a dragster?

@DR3ADER1 18 күн бұрын

@@garyjackson3531 This is because SAFER Barriers have a tendency to cause a car to "pinball" (as they are better at pushing cars away from the wall) across the course into other vehicles and have been known to send cars vertically or cause rollovers far sooner than standard concrete.

@joechancio5177 19 күн бұрын

I was there to witness this in v.a. track temps were 138degress. So glade to hear john is ok. What a legend!

@shawnwilliams4177 19 күн бұрын

John, hope you have a speedy recovery. I tell my family I love them before I head out that door. You never know it could be your last. I'm glad you get to tell them some more.

@motogrl1 18 күн бұрын

Jonn Force, The Mongoose, The Snake, and Big Daddy all manly men and will always be Hero's of mine. Prayers for a speedy recovery to Mr. Force! ❤❤

@TerryWeber-lk4sz 18 күн бұрын

Thank God he's ok. He's remarkable. That's the power of God. Also John and his team are incredible. Hope you have a speedy recovery

@TerryWeber-lk4sz 18 күн бұрын

And nice comments in a very very nice comments from everyone and John you'reyou're a very special you have been an honor and a pleasure to meet to watch you race and your family

@michael49ers4Life1-oj9id 14 күн бұрын

Praying for you Mr. John Force and your family and friends 🙏🏻

@dextersanders2053 13 күн бұрын

Get well soon John. We miss you and need you

@Johnny53kgb-nsa 15 күн бұрын

Prayer's for the Force family that John recovers soon.

@elebeu 19 күн бұрын

300mph and 75 years old? I hope I'll be able to still drive to the market when I'm 75.

@truantray 19 күн бұрын

He did the whole run with his left turn signal on.

@BDCMatt 18 күн бұрын

Are safer walls possible at these tracks? Can they perform the same at the speeds and forces these cars produce?

@CrymInAction 17 күн бұрын

The engine detonating looks like it helped slow the car down.. Also looks like he still tried to steer the car straight, like an absolute legend. Long live John Force!

@lylesommers5018 19 күн бұрын

Jforce will bounce back like he always does, here’s wishing the wall he smoked a speedy recovery.

@shaynejenkins446 19 күн бұрын

retiring this year though.

@garyjackson3531 19 күн бұрын

@@shaynejenkins446 Nope. He just signed a multi-year sponsorship deal. Hell, he's #2 in points right now. (Austin Prock, his eventual replacement, is #1)

@jimstenlund6017 14 күн бұрын

His brain bounced around in his skull I’m sure. You can’t ‘tough’ your way out of a TBI.

@pauljones6942 19 күн бұрын

John Force drove that car till the wheels stopped..he knew exactly what to do if not for his professional race car experience or been anybody but him they likely wouldn't have survived..get well John 💯

@williamfugatt5003 18 күн бұрын

that's a dad trying to let his daughter im alive baby girl

@Slobberdog66 18 күн бұрын

Prayers for Mr. Force. Get well soon.

@cameronheidelauf9623 19 күн бұрын

John force is a one toughest S.O.B in the funny car ever in the NHRA history of drag racing i have been a biggest John force fan in Australia 🇦🇺 ever since I first saw himself on a American drag racing vhs cassette tape

@rickss69 19 күн бұрын

He won the round btw...

@jacobneufeld357 19 күн бұрын

First of all, why is the concrete wall sticking out like that where he hit shouldn’t be smooth down the track?

@paulcasarez404 15 күн бұрын

Damn the way the tire smacked the side of the chassis is crazy not much in that area to protect his left hip and leg been saying this for many years these funny car chassis need to be redesigned to protect the driver way more

@earlgallup5223 18 күн бұрын

John soaked it up like a sponge.. he'll be back in the game.

@victorneckar7743 12 күн бұрын

Get better soon legend 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

@tnrodgers 18 күн бұрын

Good reporting.

@kurtmiller1348 15 күн бұрын

He’s in serious trouble and has been admitted to neurological ICU.

@tamakimay1751 14 күн бұрын

Wow hard to watch that footage 🙏, brought back memories of Scott Kalitta crash at Old Bridge Township Raceway 😧

@MisfireInc 19 күн бұрын

lol all the comments. If you know John Force, you know this isn’t his first or second or 5th time crashing like this. We said the same about Dale but he messed with safety stuff. John will be fine and do this at least 2 or 3 more times before he retires.

@donaldlongmuir-zq5ek 18 күн бұрын

Glad to see john is ok

@3rdandlong 18 күн бұрын

I think we all saw John Forces last race. Another report claimed he's still in ICU, but alert-with doctors waiting to say what injuries are. He already announced 3 weeks ago he's retiring (end of season?). This crash probably just moved up his retirement date a bit sooner than he preferred.

@caseybunker4521 12 күн бұрын

Praying for you get better soon force

@kerryastbury8834 17 күн бұрын

Hoping for a speedy recovery and seeing John Force back in a car soon

@christopherdavison652 19 күн бұрын

Wow, that was tough to watch.

@tomikhaos7248 18 күн бұрын

John Force The Godfather of racing I'm glad you're okay brother we'll see you again we know that's not going to keep you down

@bewarea 17 күн бұрын

Strange that Nascar demands that tracks have "safer Barrier" walls for 200mph cars but NHRA still has concrete for 300 mph cars.

@T_c312 Сағат бұрын

At 75yrs old he still countersteered after the explosion. Do you understand the reaction speed you have to have to counter steer a drift at 300 miles an hour because I don’t especially at 75.

@gregoryyancey6081 19 күн бұрын

John! Dude! You're 75 yrs old! Give it up for God's sake! I don't want to hear about you dying out there.

@erikschwanz7711 19 күн бұрын

When you have passion for something it is hard to give it up!

@jeffeverett274 18 күн бұрын

John God bless you. 🙏

@davidjarvis8501 15 күн бұрын

Get well Mr.John Force 🏁🏁

@keepnitredneck5578 19 күн бұрын

I was at that race yesterday. I watched John force crash right in front of me and it was pretty terrifying to watch you know my childhood hero goes through that but I know John horse he is one tough cookie.

@kennyking3255 18 күн бұрын

Same. I’ve been a fan of his since I was 11 years old. I actually had a great conversation with him one evening at a local restaurant in Commerce Ga after Friday qualifying for the Southern Nationals several years ago. He doesn’t meet a stranger.

@barbaraberry8032 Күн бұрын

A great funny car driver. Sending healing vibes to him. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@williamfugatt5003 18 күн бұрын

need soft wall technology

@jameswalker7459 19 күн бұрын

This man is in his 70s what a man what a driver,,302mp. The safety is amazing,,,John will be back...

@edsalinas9996 15 күн бұрын

We NEED to figure out how to get John to retire.

@jpsmith8523 17 күн бұрын

Praying for you John

@JerryHelton-zo7dg 14 күн бұрын

His eggs are permanently scrambled. He should have retired 10 years ago. I love John Force! My favorite drag racer of all time. To some people though, enough...is NEVER enough. That's John. Godspeed John. I'm praying for you.🙏

@digitaldreamer5481 16 күн бұрын

It is bad accidents like this that translates to safer passenger cars that everyone drives day to day…

@thewaywardwind548 15 күн бұрын

When John gets out of the hospital, he's gonna have to get a new car. This one's totaled.

@RT-qd8yl 13 күн бұрын

Stop talking to us like we're idiots.

@paulgrieshop5024 19 күн бұрын

They cut the length from 440 yards to 330 yards in the nitro division

@benjaminchapa4431 13 күн бұрын

Good luck buddy !

@scottgarmon4865 16 күн бұрын

How about telling us about Johns crash itself, not about NHRA crashes. Eye roll

@tylerpuszczewicz2535 14 күн бұрын

John is currently in Neuro ICU so I wouldn't say he survived yet.

@gregorybrown8756 16 күн бұрын

God simply didn't need a limo driver yet.

@jackkelly9022 15 күн бұрын

May GOD grant complete healing and the family healing and peace. 💪🙏

@davidbenge1686 14 күн бұрын

Damnit Man!

@patrickchavez3848 13 күн бұрын

Why dont they use the safety barriers that nascar does? It seems it would save the drivers from that horrific first impact and any subsequent impacts with those concrete barriers.

@Brad772006 18 күн бұрын

John Force has been instrumental in safety upgrades over the years. Plus, he is tough as nails. He will probably ask for a backup top fuel car to drive away from the hospital after getting a quick check over.

@softwhiteund3rarm0r 13 күн бұрын

Omg you're so dumb and fake. He can't even speak.

@JohnDoe-xm9ql 19 күн бұрын

Pay attention kid's... This man is the real deal.

@mikebaker9574 19 күн бұрын

@@RenzunSharkreal legend, something you can't be

@RoyFlores-qj5ir 11 күн бұрын

Get well john

@linkrules32 17 күн бұрын

How can anybody survive that?

@bbaz6729 13 күн бұрын

75 years old, is too old for a sport like this. Know when to say "when". You can crash when you are young or old, but no 75 year old has the reflexes or strength of a 35 year old and they break much easier and are less likely to get put back "together".

@chuckrambo4401 14 күн бұрын

Turned into a very bad brain injury.

@XMetalMatter 13 күн бұрын

Remember Scott Kalitta.

@darrylmincey5058 19 күн бұрын

John Force is a legend. He has nothing else to prove. He should retire and reflect on his amazing career

@A.J.1656 19 күн бұрын

Why'd they make Wayne go stand by the side of the road to report on this story? lol

@Rearmostbean 19 күн бұрын

News is funny like that when you are observant

@Area_man115 16 күн бұрын

Wow, what a hilarious comment!

@ryanvila1837 19 күн бұрын

Those parachutes should be automatic to tire blowouts and engines blowups

@garyjackson3531 19 күн бұрын

There are several automatic systems that can deploy the parachutes but they aren't foolproof. The way the carbon fiber body broke could have caused a problem. NHRA will investigate, as will Force, who developed most of the cockpit safety items that J.R. Todd was describing.

@IFORGOTWH0 19 күн бұрын

Go John!! You are the Badest! So happy you are ok! Wuao!

@GhostRider-dp2tc 19 күн бұрын

72 year Old John Force walking away

@kennyking3255 19 күн бұрын

75.

@shaynejenkins446 19 күн бұрын

flown away

@garyjackson3531 19 күн бұрын

@@shaynejenkins446 He got out of the car on his own power. That's known as walking away.

@softwhiteund3rarm0r 13 күн бұрын

John force is not even able to talk. Its claimed he can say "i love you" but i doubt that

@miguelbarrero5572 18 күн бұрын

NHRA YOU NEED TO PUT SAFER BARRIERS ON ALL THE DRAGSTRIPS

@Rearmostbean 18 күн бұрын

The wall isn't the dangerous part of this The wall is fine The dangerous part is the car, and keeping it from going airborne, on the tracknisnkey

@natebuiltit5158 19 күн бұрын

I think the biggest thing the NHRA and JFR will and should be looking into is why the chutes didn’t deploy. This wouldn’t have happened had the chutes deployed like they’re supposed to. John’s an absolute badass, I’m sure when he sat up on the stretcher he was telling the EMTs aye get me outta this thing I gotta back up car sittin in the trailer ready for e2 😂

@JuanMartinez-ft7gn 17 күн бұрын

I think the vehicles are ok,it shows but is time to start redesigning the track and railings.

@daleolson3506 17 күн бұрын

They are too fast. Need to be slowed down

@sherwinstaudt1881 19 күн бұрын

You can't hurt John Force with an axe, he is The Terminator of drag racing, See you in Ennis Texas in October John. For safety I think they ought to do the retaining walls like they do at NASCAR, a extra inner wall with rubber bumpers.

@brianstolz2682 12 күн бұрын

those lanes need to be far narrower to not let a car get so much traction/acceleration towards the wall... the force of the impacts would be far less the walls were closer and stopped the sideways travel sooner. some of those crashes are near head-on collisions with the barriers where the cars have enough room to turn that far. think of bobsledding or luge... the riders wipe out inside the runs, but are contained within narrow walls and they just slide to a stop with no major crippling impacts. except for the 2010 Winter Olympics when one luge athletes died from too short of a wall and unpadded steel pole.

@davidcooper4385 16 күн бұрын

LEGEND JOHN @75 WHOA

@tonykartracer8032 19 күн бұрын

John Force is too cool of a character in this world..... we need to keep him safe! Have you seen his reality TV show, hahaha. Awesome! I really hope he hangs up the helmet and quit as I don't think he's been competitive for years? And besides, he doesn't need to prove anything anymore....... he's like the most successful drag racer.