“I beat this body up for 65 years of racing. And, I’ve pretty much had enough.”
John Force is a 16-time Funny Car champion.
His most recent championship as a driver came in the 2013 season. Now, at age 76, John Force has announced his retirement from the sport.
His retirement comes after a crash in June 2024. His engine exploded on the run, sending him to the ICU.
Force suffered a traumatic brain injury in a the crash at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Over a year later, Force took to social media. On November 13th, 2025 he officially announced his retirement…
John Force hospitalized after NHRA drag racing crash (Video)
John Force retirement speech
“I finally let it out of the box,” John Force stated.
“It’s been over a year but I’ve been under doctor’s care. I still am.””It’s time for me to retire. It all made sense to me. Even though I had medical stuff that I had to address, ‘Do I want to get back in the car and get hit in the head?’ And, I don’t.”
“I got new grandchildren coming with Courtney. She just had a little girl and she’s got two girls already.”
“I got a next generation that’ll follow me just like my girls.”
“It was time for me and I don’t wanna get hurt. I’ve said it many times, ‘I’m going to stay in the car until my racecar gets me.’ I always meant that.”
“But, I’ve been hurt really bad. I’m going to grow my operation, I’m excited where it’s going.”
“I really love this sport. I don’t want to go on forever. But, I am officially done with driving.”
“I always said, ‘Until this racecar kills me, they’re going to have to drag me out of the seat.’ The truth is, I was dragged out of the seat at Richmond and they thought it killed me then.”
“So, I’m lucky that I’m back walking. They always say, ‘Never say never.’ But, I’ve got some new grandchildren.”
“I guess it’s official, I’m done. I won’t say I won’t ever get in the car and warm it up or maybe even make a burnout. Don’t know.”
“I beat this body up for 65 years of racing. And, I’ve pretty much had enough.”
