75-Year-Old Drag Racing Legend John Force In ICU After Fiery Crash At Virginia Nationals

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John Force, perhaps the most famous drag racer of all time, is in the ICU after a terrifying crash saw the 75-year-old’s car go up in flames.

The crash occurred during the qualifying rounds in the Funny Car divison at Virginia Nationals.

Force crossed the finish line at over 300 miles per hour when his engine appeared to let go, causing him to lose control of the car and go careening into the wall.

John Force Racing Puts Out Statement Following Fiery Crash

John Force Racing said the 75-year-old Force was examined at the track by the NHRA medical team before being transported by medical helicopter to a facility for further evaluation.

“John Force, drag racing’s most prolific winner and a contender this year for an unprecedented 17th NHRA Funny Car championship, was injured Sunday in the 300 mile-an-hour crash of his PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro in the first round of the 14th PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals,” the statement read.

“The Hall of Fame driver and car owner crossed the finish line at Virginia Motorsports Park in 4.100 seconds at a speed of 302.62 miles per hour after winning his first round race when his car suffered a catastrophic engine failure that sent it, on fire, careening across the track and into the concrete guardwall bordering the left side of the track. That impact sent it back across the track and into the right guardrail before it came to rest in the middle of the track.

“The 75-year-old Hall of Famer, who won two of the season’s first eight races and is in second place in points behind teammate Austin Prock, was conscious and talking to NHRA Safety Safari personnel immediately following the crash. He was transported to a nearby Medical Center for further evaluation in the ICU.”

Force is a 16-time NHRA champion and has remained at the top of his game despite his age.