John Force, Brittany Force Retirements Bring an End to an Unmatched 47-Year Era
John Force announced his retirement from NHRA drag racing on Thursday, joining his daughter Brittany Force in calling it a career in 2025. Two of John’s other daughters, Ashley Force Hood and Courtney Force-Rahal, have been retired from drag racing for several years.
Speaking in a video posted to social media, the drag racing legend John Force told his many fans, “It’s time for me to retire.”
“Do I want to get back in the car and get hit in the head? … I don’t,” the 76-year-old continued. Force is still recovering from the traumatic brain injury he sustained in the crash at the 2024 Virginia Nationals.
The 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion went on to mention how he has said many times that he was “going to stay in the car until his race car “gets him.”
“I also said in the media 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,” he pointed out. “So I’m lucky that I’m back walking, still under doctor’s orders.”
Tributes pour in for the all-time greatest drag racer
“Congratulations to the man himself, the GOAT John Force @JFR_Racing I am so glad I got to witness your career from the beginning and all your accomplishments. What an unbelievable career you had. I love you, man,” drag racing Hall of Famer Darrel Gwynn wrote on X.
“Congratulations on an amazing career, John,” longtime motorsports broadcaster Leigh Diffey commented. “Thanks for stunning us Motorsports fans for decades with your skill & speed, and thanks for the laughs with your magical interviews and sound bites. The word legend is completely appropriate for you, mate!”
“16X. The GOAT. An absolute legend,” NHRA posted on X.
“There will only be one John Force,” zMax Dragway added.
Brittany Force can also lay claim to being a drag racing GOAT
John Force also referenced his daughter, Brittany Force, retiring this week. Brittany, 39, is a two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion in her own right. In fact, she recently earned her 19th career win, breaking a tie with Shirley Muldowney to become the winningest woman in Top Fuel history. She also owns the national speed record of 343.51 mph, as well as nine of the top 10 NHRA speed records.
Between John, Brittany, Ashley, and Courtney Force, the family has over 190 wins in NHRA drag racing and 18 Championships. It’s pretty safe to say we will never see anything like them again.
