Latest news with #JohnForceRacing
Newsweek
4 days ago
- 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."
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
John Force Looks to Son-in-Law Graham Rahal for Latest NHRA Sponsorship Deal
The John Force Racing NHRA team has gone all in the family, so to speak, for its newest business partnership. JFR and Graham Rahal Performance today announced that Graham Rahal Performance will be the primary sponsor on Brittany Force's Top Fuel dragster and Jack Beckman's Funny Car for the upcoming NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 11-13. The deal calls for GRP to be what the team calls a "major associate sponsor" for the rest of the season. GRP will be again featured on both cars for the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, August 27-Sept. 1. The family angle is no secret, as current IndyCar driver Graham Rahal is married to John's daughter and former NHRA star Courtney Force. Graham Rahal Performance's shop is based in Zionsville, Ind., and focuses on enhancing vehicles with quality performance. GRP was founded in 2017 and offers services for any vehicle, including aftermarket installs, performance package upgrades and track builds to simple, routine vehicle maintenance. 'When John came to me and spoke of the opportunity to be present on the car, it was extremely intriguing for our company,' said Graham Rahal, President of Graham Rahal Performance. 'Our expertise in service, custom fabrication, and our other offerings, align very well with the drag racing community, and we wanted to put that on display. Courtney and I felt strongly that it was in the best interest of our company to partner with John and everyone at John Force Racing, and support both my sister-in-law, Brittany as well as Jack throughout the entire year. We're excited about the relationship with the team, and for the people in the NHRA community to see what GRP can do for them.' John Force calls the deal a merger of great racing families. 'This partnership fires me up,' said John Force, Founder and CEO of John Force Racing. 'Graham's not just family—he's a racer, a businessman, and someone who lives and breathes performance, just like we do. What he's building with GRP is incredible, and bringing that energy into our pits with Brittany and Jack just feels right. We're not just putting a name on the car—we're bringing two racing families together to push the limits on and off the track.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Justin Ashley, John Force Racing Funny Cars on Brink of Milestones at Pomona
Justin Ashley is trying to become only the second driver in the Pomona Winternationals' 65-year history to win in four straight years. Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme won three straight events in the traditional season-opener in the Funny Car class from 1975-78. Ashley and teammate Austin Prock are also vying for the title of who gets John Force Racing its 300th victory in Funny Cars. Justin Ashley, who was poised to capture his first Top Fuel crown but finished third in the standings on the final day of the 2024 season at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, returns this Friday to Pomona, Calif., not with regrets but an opportunity to make NHRA drag-racing history. The driver of the SCAG Power Equipment Dragster has a chance at the Lucas Oil Winternationals to become only the second driver in the event's 65-year history to win in four straight years. Ashley could match Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme, who dominated in the traditional season-opener in the Funny Car class from 1975-78. The Winternationals, settling into its new-normal Race No. 3 slot on the 20-event calendar, has seen Ashley advance to four final rounds in a row. Right now, he, Top Fuel rival Doug Kalitta, and Pro Stock's Greg Anderson have won the Winternationals three consecutive times. 'The NHRA Winternationals are always prestigious, but this one certainly has more juice to it, given the circumstances,' Ashley said. 'I am incredibly proud of our SCAG Racing team for earning the right to be in this position. They deserve it. We know what needs to be done. Now it's 'go' time.' Eight Top Fuel racers also will race Friday in the rain-postponed Right Trailers All-Star Callout from the season-starting Gatornationals earlier this month. He'll face home-area heroine Brittany Force in the first round of the bonus race. 'We have the opportunity to do something very special in Pomona,' Ashley said. The John Force Racing Funny Car duo of Jack Beckman and Austin Prock are competing against more than the rest of the Funny Car field. They're contending with each other about who will score the organization's 300th Funny Car victory. The bigger buzz in the Funny Car pits, though, is the comeback of three-time champion Ron Capps from a serious engine explosion that sent him into the opposite-lane wall in sideswiping fashion. 'We had a great race car, won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge [and $10,000 bonus prize] on Saturday, qualified well, and unfortunately, had an accident on Sunday during eliminations. That car that we had been running, which was a brand-new car that we started running toward the end of last year, is pretty much in the scrapyard now,' Capps said. The single-car team owner-driver's crew had to dash back from Phoenix to the Brownsburg, Ind., shop to prepare back-up cars before heading back across the country to California. 'One of the many great things about our team is that we're very well prepared. Had we won that round [at Phoenix] and had to get back up for second round with the quick turnaround for live TV, we had a backup car that was ready to go. They're now preparing a third car, so it's been busy with three West Coast races, including this back-to-back one after Phoenix,' Capps said. 'We're hoping to have a great ending to a busy and hectic week after destroying one car.'He said, 'What was really cool was the number of calls and notes and messages that we received from our partners and sponsors who were wanting to help beyond what they already do to support our team. An incident like this happens, and as a single-car team, it's not easy. But to get the amount of support we got during the week with people offering to help, you can't explain how cool that is. We've got a great team, a great back up car, and we're going to what I consider to be a home track.'
