Latest news with #JohnForceRacing
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
See Brittany Force Set All-Time NHRA Speed Record — 341.85 MPH at Pacific Raceways
Brittany Force was not able to pull off the win in the Top Fuel class at the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Kent, Wash., on Sunday, but she left the race weekend with a new title—Fastest Person in NHRA History. Force, who lost to Shawn Langdon in the finals, set a NHRA record in the semifinals with a run of 3.659 seconds which translated to an all-time record 341.85 mph. The speed mark for the John Force Racing driver eclipses the 341.59 mph run she turned in at the Four-Wide event at Charlotte earlier this season. It also eclipsed the 341.68 turned in by Austin Prock in the Funny Car class last fall at Pomona. That mark is still tops in Funny Car. 'Overall it was a pretty solid outing for this team here in Seattle," Force said. "We came out and qualified third and laid down three passes over 340 miles per hour this weekend. We were able to make our way to the final round but unfortunately came up short to Shawn Langdon. Pan pressure automatically shut us off in the final. I had no power and was just coasting to the finish line and I saw Shawn (Langdon) go around me. "But obviously the highlight of our weekend was in the semifinals when we made a killer run and went even faster than our current national mile per hour record at 341.85 mph, fastest all time. It's really exciting for this whole team to do that and be a part of something so prominent in our sport. "We work really hard to turn on win lights and put the best numbers up on the board and we're hoping that record will hold for a while. We reset the Top Fuel speed record back in Charlotte, but our teammate Austin Prock still had us beat overall, so to step up and out do our run from Charlotte and not just be the fastest Top Fuel driver but to be the fastest person in our sport, that's such a huge accomplishment for our team. Wins are important but setting records is pretty awesome to. The Countdown is quickly approaching and if we can keep putting together performances like this, we're going to be in a pretty good spot.'
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
John Force Racing Announces Collaboration For New Philanthropic Initiative
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. John Force Racing has announced a new philanthropic initiative in collaboration with The Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation and Graham Rahal Performance. The partnership will last until the end of the 2025 NHRA season. The initiative, branded Task Force Rahal, is set to support the Optimal BrainHealth for Warfighters program, with the aim of helping active-duty military, families, and veterans who have been affected by traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress. President of GRP and founder of GCRF, Graham Rahal, commented on the new partnership: "We're honored to be able to join forces with JFR to support the Center for BrainHealth for the rest of the NHRA season. Brain injuries change lives – I've seen it firsthand. John Force attends the 2014 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. John Force attends the 2014 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California."I'm grateful we can use Task Force Rahal to help those on the same journey and ultimately give back to a community that has already given us so much." According to the press release, the new program will focus on "hiring veterans from diverse branches to enable broader in-person training and outreach." John Force, founder of John Force Racing, who is also the father-in-law of Rahal, said the following: "I've watched Graham over the years, and he has always been one to try and help others. This whole concept that he's involved in is to make things bigger and stronger. That's the direction he's headed, and we'll be a part of that by promoting Task Force Rahal on our racecars. It is exciting that fans and sponsors can donate too!" "Having trained more than 6,000 service members and veterans over the past 15 years, we know that the combination of holistic measurement and strategy-based training works," said Jennifer Zientz, Director of Programs at Center for BrainHealth. "We are deeply grateful for the funding that will enable us to continue scaling up this important work." Force suffered a TBI after a crash in Virginia last year. Although he is not back in the race seat just yet, he has made a return to trackside. Providing an update in December, Force explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports: "I'm still going to therapy every week and working as hard as I can to get back out there with the sponsors and the fans in a sport I love and I miss. I've still got a lot of things I want to do, so I don't want anybody thinking they've seen the last of John Force. We'll have a lot more to talk about after the holidays."
Newsweek
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
John Force Racing Shares Update After Scary Jack Beckman NHRA Crash
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. John Force Racing has shared an update on Jack Beckman after a scary NHRA Funny Car crash at the New England Nationals. Beckman, who is currently standing in for John Force after his horrific crash in Virginia last year, crashed into the wall at about 300 feet after his car broke loose at 60 feet. Thankfully, the 58-year-old is okay and has thanked his fans for their concern. He explained in the video from John Force Racing: "First off, I appreciate everybody's concern and I'm not going to be able to respond to everybody so that is why we are sending this message out. I'm fine! My feelings are hurt, our race car's hurt. We're still not quite sure what had happened, never had anyone like that. But the safety equipment did its job. "Thank you Simpson and everyone who has helped us on the safety gear. We will rebound, we will unload our spare car which was last year's Peak Chevy SS and we'll be back in Bristol and we will be ready to win again. I promise you." Jack Beckman's Funny Car broke loose at 60 ft and there was a racing incident that put him in the wall at about 300 ft. He is okay and thanks everyone for their concern! @FastJackBeckman @peakauto — John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) June 1, 2025 Reacting to the crash, Beckman commented to "It started to shake, I pedaled, and it was one of those deals where these things shake violently enough that your vision kind of shuts down for a second. As soon as I pedaled, it just hooked left—and at that point, you're a passenger. "I've seen a lot of those, and I always wondered, you know, what I'd do. I mean, clearly, I'd like a redo on that—I wouldn't have pedaled that way. But sometimes these things just do really unpredictable stuff out there, and that was one of them. This photo taken on August 13, 2017 shows a drag racer speeding down the racetrack during an "NGO Street Drag Bike Party", a legal racing event, in the central Thai province of Pathum Thani. The... This photo taken on August 13, 2017 shows a drag racer speeding down the racetrack during an "NGO Street Drag Bike Party", a legal racing event, in the central Thai province of Pathum Thani. The streets of Bangkok are frequently clogged with thousands of motorbikes, and many Thais learn to ride the vehicles from a young age. But for those wanting to take their riding to the next level, a stadium on the outskirts of the Thai capital hosts monthly drag races. More LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images "It's a shame. That was a great race car, and now it's a lot of extra work for us, especially with our first back-to-back [race weekends] of the year. But we'll unload our spare, which was last year's race car, so we'll be ready to go for Bristol. "As a driver, this is the last thing you want to do. We had a car that could win the race. We struggled a little bit today, and that one—it kind of reared its head again and just lost traction. So, we'll go to work. I'm glad I'm okay, and we'll be back. "And Bruno... I'm not gonna ask you for a kiss right now either."
Newsweek
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
NHRA Legend John Force Championed By Team With Touching Message
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. John Force Racing shared a touching tribute to its owner, 16-time NHRA champion John Force, as he celebrated his 76th birthday. Taking to social media, the team wrote: "Happy Birthday 16X!! What can we say that hasn't already been said? To the man who created a drag racing dynasty, the father of a beautiful family (and one of the biggest extended families out there with all of his friends and fans!), and to a man who has, and continues to, overcome challenges and obstacles and is a beacon of light and strength to all; can we all wish John Force a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY?!" Happy Birthday 16X!! What can we say that hasn't already been said? To the man who created a drag racing dynasty, the father of a beautiful family (and one of the biggest extended families out there with all of his friends and fans!), and to a man who has, and continues to,... — John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) May 4, 2025 Force is currently out of the race seat after suffering from a severe crash in Virginia last year. Following the crash, the driver went from intensive care to the Neuro ICU due to a traumatic brain injury, before eventually being discharged from hospital to continue with his rehabilitation from home. John Force, driver of the Castrol High Mileage Ford funny car waves to the fans during the NHRA Carolinas Nationals on September 20, 2009 at Zmax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. John Force, driver of the Castrol High Mileage Ford funny car waves to the fans during the NHRA Carolinas Nationals on September 20, 2009 at Zmax Dragway in Concord, North made his first track appearance since the Virginia crash in Las Vegas later that year to support his John Force Racing team. He commented at the time: "I'm still going to therapy every week and working as hard as I can to get back out there with the sponsors and the fans in a sport I love and I miss. I've still got a lot of things I want to do, so I don't want anybody thinking they've seen the last of John Force. We'll have a lot more to talk about after the holidays." Jack Beckman has continued to step in for Force since the crash. "I am thrilled to continue a partnership with PEAK and BlueDEF and look forward to returning to JFR in 2025," Beckman stated. "As a car enthusiast, I believe in using the best products available for both personal and professional applications. PEAK and BlueDEF products are trusted for our support vehicles and haulers, ensuring reliability and performance." Adding to his long list of achievements, including 16 NHRA championship titles, Force was recently inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame. He reacted to the honor, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports: "I'm very proud to accept this honor along with the other 2024 inductees. "It's been a rough year and I'm sorry I couldn't be there in Canada for the ceremonies, but this is special to me because I won my first NHRA race in Canada. It may have been a long time ago, but I still remember."
Newsweek
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
John Force Racing: Brittany Force Smashes National Record With New Fastest Speed Recorded
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. John Force Racing driver Brittany Force has broken the record for the fastest speed in drag racing history, a record she had previously set herself back in 2022. The two-time Top Fuel World Champion logged a staggering speed of 341.59 mph during the qualifying runs for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at ZMax Dragway, which is set to take place tomorrow. Brittany Force sets the World Speed Record in Top Fuel with a scorching 341.59 MPH in Q2 in Charlotte!! 🔥🔥 The Dragster ran a 3.667 and hit the 1/8 mile at 301.00 MPH; making John Force Racing home to both NHRA Speed Records and the only official runs of... — John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) April 26, 2025 Although made drag racing history with the new top speed, she qualified in third behind Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta. Commenting on the achievement, Force explained: "We're off to a great start. In Q2, this dragster went 3.667 and 341.59 mph. I didn't know until I was mid-interview [with the FOX TV crew] at the top end that we ran that kind of mile per hour and it's just something really exciting for every single one of these guys on this team. Race car drivers Brittany Force (L) and John Force arrive at the Yahoo! Sports Presents A Day Of Champions event at the Sports Museum of Los Angeles on November 6, 2011 in Los Angeles,... Race car drivers Brittany Force (L) and John Force arrive at the Yahoo! Sports Presents A Day Of Champions event at the Sports Museum of Los Angeles on November 6, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. More"They work so hard. My crew chiefs, David Grubnic and John Collins, and every member of this crew, and for us to be able to accomplish that together and hold on to that, I hope we hold it for a long time. It's pretty special." Force had revealed that she was eyeing another victory ahead of the on-track action. He explained in the lead-up to the race weekend: "We're really excited to be partnered with again and flying their colors this weekend [in the 15th running of the original NHRA 4-Wide Nationals]," Force said of a relationship that began three years ago. "Our team made history when we won the 900th NHRA Top Fuel race," the two-time World Champion said of her 2019 win at Las Vegas, Nevada. "So winning this weekend and taking home the trophy from the 1000th race, especially at the Bellagio of dragstrips, ZMAX Dragway, would be a great milestone and a great highlight for the season." Force's teammate Austin Prock also had a successful start to the race weekend, provisionally securing the No. 2 position in Qualifying for the Funny Car devision. "We struggled in Q1. It seems to take a little bit different approach here, so we made some big changes going into Q2 and it paid off. We're currently sitting second right behind Paul Lee, so we've got a good run to work with for tomorrow. "The crew chiefs [his dad Jimmy, brother Thomas and Nate Hildahl] seemed happy with how everything looked and hopefully we can make two nice passes on Saturday, earn some more points and get a little cash from the Mission Foods 2Fast2Tasty Challenge."
