“Left an impression”: Tony Stewart’s NHRA driver recalls memorable John Force story

Matt Hagan, the driver of Tony Stewart's NHRA team, recently revealed his first encounter with legendary drag racing figure John Force. The four time Funny Car World champion who's been driving for Tony Stewart Racing since 2021, recalled a story about Force that left a big impression on him.

During an appearance on the DJD Reloaded, Hagan was asked whether he remembered the first time he met Force and what that experience was like. He claimed Force is someone who has always been "so kind" to his family as he described the memorable encounter that left a lasting memory on him.

"First time with John with me really left an impression. I mean, we talked here and there, but I blew up a car one time, real bad explosion and I had split my forehead, like my head rotated inside my helmet so it split my eyebrows open," Hagan said.

He mentioned that he was "bleeding everywhere" and therefore had to be put in an ambulance for treatment.

"They put me in the ambulance and just checking me out and John rips open the back of the ambulance and he goes, 'Hey kid, you okay?' And I said, 'Yeah, I think I'm going to be alright man,' and he said, 'Well, next time roll around on the ground. Act like you're on fire. He said you'll get more TV time like that and it just blew me away. It stuck with me for, 'Man, this guy is a showman. He gets it," Hagan described.

The 4x Funny Car champion claimed that as drivers, they're putting on a show for the fans and John Force is "all about the show", but someone who also does "a good job" of winning races too.

---

John Force has some advice for Tony Stewart after his 2013 injury

After Tony Stewart suffered from a broken leg from a sprint car crash in 2013, he received a piece of advice from John Force. As per USA Today, Force claimed that there was "a trick to physical therapy."

Force's advice was rooted in his own experience, from when he got injured in 1996 and was subsequently called up Whit Bazemore who had a tip or two.

"He said, 'I ain't got no love for you, Force, but I don't want nobody to be a cripple. Take my advice and treat it like Disneyland.' The doctors told me in rehab, 'Kid, you ain't going to race again. You'll be lucky if you'll be able to walk again.' I'd broken everything -- wrists, knees, feet, legs. I was junk," Force recalled.

However, he claimed he took Bazemore's advice and went to the gym.

John Force added that he'd ask Stewart "to learn to love" the rehab, and to not think about his team or his business, just about his leg.

"He's a tough old boy. He'll be fine," Force said of Stewart.

It's worth mentioning that John Force recently suffered a violent crash after his engine exploded during Virginia Nationals.

After his serious injury that has left him in an ICU, Force received wishes from fans and the world of NASCAR.