John Force, a 17-time Funny Car champion and three-time winner at Montreal’s le Grandnational, was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame during a ceremony Saturday at the John Bassett Theatre in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Although he does not have Canadian heritage, Force’s connection to Canada is significant. He claimed his first NHRA pro tour victory at the le Grandnational on June 28, 1987, at Sanair Raceway in Saint Pie, Quebec, and he frequently headlined events at what is now Saint Thomas Raceway Park in Ontario.
Currently recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury sustained in a crash at 300 miles per hour last June in Richmond, Virginia, Force was unable to attend the ceremony in person. He sent a video acceptance speech recorded at his shop in Yorba Linda, California.
“I’m very proud to accept this honor along with the other 2024 inductees,” Force said. “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.”
While Force had an unremarkable 1-4 record in his initial four appearances at le Grandnational, he improved significantly in later years, finishing 20-4 in his next seven outings with three wins (1987, 1990, 1992) and two runner-up finishes. The event was discontinued in 1993.
At 75 years old, Force becomes the first drag racer inducted in the International category of the Hall of Fame, recognizing non-Canadians who have made substantial contributions to Canada’s motorsports landscape. He joins notable figures such as Mario and Michael Andretti, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Carroll Shelby.
The Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame, managed by the Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation and located at Downsview Park, has inducted 294 individuals over the past 32 years, honoring those who have impacted various motorsports disciplines.
Bernie Fedderly, a co-crew chief for Force during 12 of his championship seasons, was one of the first Canadians inducted in 1995. Other notable inductees include the late Dale Armstrong, Graham Light, two-time Top Fuel World Champion Gary Beck, and former U.S. Nationals Top Fuel Champion Terry Capp.
Force’s latest induction adds to his extensive legacy. He has already been inducted into several prestigious halls, including the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2012) and the California Sports Hall of Fame (2017).
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