John Force, the founder of John Force Racing and a legend in drag racing, returned to the track at Bradenton Motorsports Park for the PRO Superstar Shootout for the first time in 2025. In June 2024, Force was involved in a devastating crash in the Virginia Nationals, resulting in a serious brain injury. The crash at nearly 300 mph forced him to withdraw from competition and required an extended period of hospitalization. Force announced ahead of the 2025 NHRA season that he is still not ready to return to the cockpit as he continues to recuperate. However, after attending races at the end of the 2024 season, Force made his first appearance with his team in 2025 at Bradenton. citeturn0search12
At the PRO Superstar Shootout, John Force Racing driver Austin Prock delivered an extraordinary performance, setting a new Funny Car record with a 3.791-second run during the final qualifying session. Despite this achievement, Prock faced challenges in the final round, where clutch issues led to a slower time of 4.003 seconds, resulting in a loss to Ron Capps, who finished in 3.870 seconds. citeturn0search3
Reflecting on the event, Force expressed his pride in the team’s performance and the progress made since his recovery. He stated, “My wife, Laurie, told me I needed to get back in the game. And being here in Bradenton was just good for my heart. Watching everybody work, watching the cars and the teams and seeing old friends like Capps, it was just special.” He added, “We didn’t win, but I was excited just to be where I need to be.” citeturn0search12
Force’s return to the track and the team’s strong performance at Bradenton underscore their resilience and commitment to excellence in the sport. As the NHRA Mission Foods Series approaches, the John Force Racing team remains focused on building upon their successes and addressing the challenges ahead.
