Robert Hight announced Thursday that he is stepping down as President of John Force Racing, expressing confidence in the team’s future leadership.
Hight, 55, reflected on his 30 years with the organization, saying, “I had 30 great years at JFR. John opened so many doors for me, and I’m just glad I was there to help him and the company through everything that happened last year.”
Beginning his career as a crew member in 1995, Hight progressed to Facilities Manager and then became the company’s first designated test driver in 2004. He made his competitive debut in 2005 and won his first race in just his fourth start, later being promoted to president in 2011.
During his tenure, he secured 65 tour victories and three Funny Car World Championships in 2009, 2017, and 2019. Hight finished as the runner-up in 2023, his last season competing, due to a medical issue that sidelined him the following year.
“Family is everything,” said John Force, founder of the team. “I understand that [Hight] has some other things he wants to do. He was a big part of the success of John Force Racing for more than 25 years.”
Force added that although a new president will be named in the future, the team is well-equipped to move forward.
“We just signed new deals with PEAK, Cornwell Tools, and HendrickCars.com,” he said. “I’m really excited about being back at the track with all of them.”
Force praised his leadership team, stating, “Jimmy and Thomas Prock, Nate Hildahl, my son-in-law Daniel Hood, Chris Cunningham, Tim Fabrisi, David Grubnic, and John Collins — that’s our brain trust.”
Hight stepped away from driving at the beginning of 2024, citing undisclosed health issues. Austin Prock was named his substitute, as Hight revealed intentions to return to the seat eventually. He was instrumental in Jack Beckman joining the team following John Force’s June 2024 accident that left him with a Traumatic Brain Injury.
With Hight’s departure, Force will look to Bob McAleer, JFR’s Director of Business Operations, to take on additional responsibilities. “He’ll be working with me a lot more, and with the brain trust, to keep this machine firing on all cylinders,” Force said.
