Jack Beckman Denies Rumors of John Force’s Return at Virginia Motorsports Park:
In the world of NHRA drag racing, few names carry as much weight as John Force. The 16-time Funny Car champion and longtime face of the sport has been noticeably absent from competition since a serious crash last June. But this week, rumors began to swirl that the legendary driver could be making a surprise return to racing. Funny Car’s frontrunner, Jack Beckman, quickly cancelled rumors of John Force’s return.
Over the weekend at New England Dragway, fans and insiders began buzzing about the possibility of Force testing his Funny Car after the upcoming NHRA race in Bristol, Tennessee. Some even speculated he would make a full return to competition at Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP) on June 21-22 — nearly one year to the day since his devastating crash at that same track.
However, on Monday, Beckman put an end to those Rumors of John Force’s Return
“Definitely not true. Not sure where that started,” he said firmly when asked about the supposed comeback plans.
The accident that sidelined Force occurred on June 23, 2024, during the eliminations at Virginia Motorsports Park. Force’s Funny Car suffered a violent crash that resulted in a traumatic brain injury diagnosis. Since then, the 76-year-old racing icon has remained on the sidelines, focusing on recovery and making only limited public appearances. His last race came during the NHRA national event in Las Vegas during the fall of 2024.
While Force has always been known for his toughness and love for competition, those close to him — including Beckman — have made it clear that a return to racing is not on the immediate horizon.
Tyler Crossnoe, Vice President of Virginia Motorsports Park, also weighed in on the rumors. He said he was hearing the speculation, Rumors of John Force’s Return for the first time and found it unlikely.
“I have not heard anything like this until just now. It would surprise me, honestly,” Crossnoe said.
Force’s fans have understandably been eager for any news of his return. His presence at the track, even as a team owner and spectator, continues to draw attention. But with the seriousness of his injury and the demands of driving a 330-mph Funny Car, a cautious approach is not only expected but necessary.
Beckman, a champion in his own right and one of the most respected voices in the NHRA paddock, made it clear that if there were any truth to the rumor, it would not have caught him by surprise.
“You’d think someone would’ve heard about this by now if it were real,” he said.
For now, Force continues to play an important role in the sport through John Force Racing, which fields top-tier entries in both Funny Car and Top Fuel. His daughter Brittany Force remains one of the leading competitors in the Top Fuel category, while Austin Prock has been carrying the torch in Funny Car.
Fans will no doubt continue to hope for John Force’s return to the driver’s seat. After all, his name is nearly synonymous with NHRA drag racing. But based on the latest comments from Beckman and Crossnoe, that day is not coming at Virginia — and possibly not any time soon.
Until then, the legend of John Force continues in other ways — as a team owner, mentor, and symbol of the heart and soul of NHRA drag racing.
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