Image via John Force Racing/YouTube
Despite a rumor that’s been floating around in racing circles, John Force isn’t returning to NHRA to race Funny Cars anytime soon. In fact, the man might never make a comeback after his tragic crash, although that remains to be seen. Thanks to Jack Beckman, the rumor has mostly been put to rest.
Jay Leno’s law helping out classic car owners in California is in trouble.
People were whispering about Force coming back later this month, perhaps during the NHRA Funny Car event in Dinwiddie, Virginia. Others said it would happen over the upcoming weekend in Bristol, Tennessee.
When asked at New England Dragway over the weekend about Force’s rumored return, Beckman was blunt in his response. “Definitely not true. Not sure where that started,” he’s quoted by Autoweek as saying.
That kind of answer doesn’t leave room for interpretation, which was probably exactly what Beckman wanted.
After all, John Force is still in recovery from a traumatic brain injury thanks to a scary crash back on June 23, 2024. While we won’t rule out his ever returning to drag racing, for now the 76-year-old is just lucky to be alive, walking, and talking.
Jack Beckman’s Funny Car broke loose at 60 ft and there was a racing incident that put him in the wall at about 300 ft. He is okay and thanks everyone for their concern! @FastJackBeckman @peakauto pic.twitter.com/9AC9yfFDhr
— John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) June 1, 2025
Beckman himself had a scary close call over the weekend. The John Force Racing driver hit the wall about 360 feet off the starting line. Thankfully, as he confirms in a video posted to X, he wasn’t hurt. But the car suffered serious damage in the crash.
Thankfully, last year’s car is ready to go as a backup, so Beckman will be piloting that in Bristol.
Brittany Force fared much better in Top Fuel at New England Nationals, scoring her first number one finish of the season. She did a 3.694-second run at 340.39 mph to beat Tony Stewart who ran a 3.720 at 329.91 mph. It’s not a bad way to commemorate her father’s tragic crash nearly a year ago.
Image via John Force Racing/YouTube
