Racing legend John Force thanks fans for well wishes after scary crash had everyone worried

John Force recently shared a recovery update and expressed his love for the fans after a horrific crash at the Virginia Motorsports Park in June. The drag racing legend also hinted that he would be able to attend the event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this coming week.

The 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion and one of the most dominant racers on the dragstrip met with an accident at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in June. The 75-year-old's Funny Car suffered an engine failure and slammed into the concrete wall at almost 302 mph.

Four months on, the John Force Racing owner thanked the motorsports community for the love and support he received after his crash at Richmond and hopes to return to the NHRA Nevada Nationals from November 1-3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In a video posted on YouTube, Force said about his recovery and rehabilitation:

"Boy am I glad to be here after that crash I had in Richmond. But at the end of the day, I’m gonna recover. I’m getting better already, I was in the hospital for four months. I’m still working every day to get my body back in shape but I gotta get my mind back in shape. I took a pretty big hit in that crash at Richmond. So, I’ve been in that hospital there in Richmond, I’ve been in Phoenix, Arizona going through rehab. And I’m out here now and I’m working on it every day."

The Bell Gardens, California native added:

"This is about what I love the most and it’s racing, it’s NHRA, I love my sponsors and I love all the fans. And I love your letters and all the things you’ve written and all your support. You’ve really been good to me in a hard time. I’ve had four, five months that I’ve been laying in hospitals, going through rehab, and I’m going to get better. I’m under doctor’s orders. They tell me where I can go. I think they’re going to tell me this week that I can go to the Las Vegas race."

Robert Hight, a three-time NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion, currently drives for Force's team JFR. The team's lineup also includes Austin Prock and Jack Beckman in the Funny Car division. Moreover, his daughter, Brittany Force, is competing in the Top Fuel Category and battling for the championship.

---

Dale Earnhardt Jr. once claimed John Force's comparison to Richard Petty was "perfect"

While wishing John Force a speedy recovery, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. said comparing the drag racing icon to the seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty was "perfect".

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the JR Motorsports owner recalled former NASCAR driver Rick Mast calling Force "the Richard Petty of drag racing".

"Watched a previous post from Rick Mast and heard him call John Force the Richard Petty of drag racing. It is a perfect comparison. John Force has long been everything to drag racing. And for me, every moment I spent around him was as thrilling as watching him run the strip. Certainly wishing him comfort and a smooth recovery."

Force, a Motorsports Hall of Famer, is the winningest driver in NHRA history with 157 wins and 16 Funny Car championships.