National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) legend John Force was involved in a horrific incident at a drag race in Virginia on Sunday.
Force was in his Funny Car speeding around the track, as he had done thousands of times before, when his engine blew, causing him to veer across the center line and into the wall. His vehicle crossed the line and hit the guard wall again.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
John Force smokes the tires of a JFR 500 Peak Chevy ’22 Camaro SS during the NHRA New England Nationals on June 1, 2024, in Epping, New Hampshire. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The NHRA released a statement on the incident
“During the first round of Funny Car eliminations at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park, John Force’s Funny Car suffered an engine explosion at the finish line, then crossed the center line, hitting both walls on duty before stopping,” the organization said.
“Force was alert and was examined on scene by the NHRA medical team before being transported to a local medical facility for further evaluation.”
NHRA legend John Force speaks with the media before the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube NASCAR Cup Series race on March 3, 2024 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Jeff Speer/LVMS/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TODD GILLILAND 1-ON-1: ON HIS RACING ROOTS, THE PROGRESS HE’S MADE IN 2024
Fans of the race offered prayers for Force on social media.
Force, 75, is a 16-time NHRA champion and 22-time champion as a race team owner. He won 10 consecutive titles as a driver from 1993 to 2002.
Force won the 156th race of his career in April.
“I’m just facing the truth in life, you know, time is running out and I’m trying to hang on,” Force said of his career at the time. “This morning I was talking about, ‘You know, maybe this is it, maybe I should just walk out the door and go to the casino.’
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
John Force during third round eliminations at the Thunder Valley Nationals on June 9, 2024 at Bristol Dragway in Tennessee. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“And then all of a sudden you win and your weight and your personality changes. Things went well and I got the win, so I’m excited.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
