John Force, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion and the winningest driver in drag racing history, announced his retirement Thursday during a media luncheon at his Southern California race shop. The 76-year-old icon ends a career that spanned more than 50 years, 17 months after suffering serious injuries in a crash at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Force’s numbers remain unmatched in NHRA competition. His career totals include 157 national event victories, 269 final-round appearances, 166 No. 1 qualifiers, and 1,460 round wins, along with championships in 16 different seasons between 1990 and 2013.
“I really love NHRA but I am officially done with driving,” Force said. “I’ve said so many times, ‘Until this race car kills me, they’re gonna have to drag me out of the seat.’ But 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.”
Force said medical challenges following his 2024 accident played a major role in his decision. “It’s time for me to retire. I had medical stuff that I had to address and ‘do I want to get back in the car and get hit in the head,’ and I don’t,” he said. “So, I guess it’s official, I’m done. I won’t say I won’t ever get in a car to warm it up or maybe even make a burnout. Don’t know. I guess it’ll be the response from the fans. If they cheer loud enough, I’ll hear ya.”
Although stepping away from driving, Force will continue to lead John Force Racing, the 23-time championship-winning organization based in Brownsburg, Ind. The team currently fields three entries: Brittany Force in Top Fuel, Austin Prock in Funny Car, and Jack Beckman in Funny Car.
Brittany Force, a two-time Top Fuel champion, sits fourth in points entering the NHRA Finals in her Monster Energy dragster. Prock, the reigning Funny Car champion, leads the standings by 101 points in the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS, while Beckman, who took over Force’s PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet SS, holds third.
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The announcement comes during a year of transition for John Force Racing. Brittany Force confirmed in September that she would step away from competition at the end of the season to start a family with her husband, Bobby Lyons Jr. On Oct. 15, the team announced that five-year Top Fuel veteran Josh Hart will join its lineup for the 2026 season.
Force’s retirement ends one of the most successful and influential careers in motorsports history. Known for his relentless drive, outspoken personality, and fierce loyalty to sponsors and fans, he became the face of professional drag racing and one of its greatest ambassadors.
Even in retirement, Force’s presence will remain woven into the sport through his family, his team, and the countless racers he inspired to follow in his tire tracks. His legacy — forged in fire, asphalt, and determination — will continue long after his final burnout.
Happy Retirement Champ.
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