There are moments in time that the sport of drag racing can deliver which transcend the sport. John Force collecting his 150th career victory on the same day that his young teammate Austin Prock collected his first in top fuel is one of them. An incredible day of competition at Pacific Raceways delivered fans in the stands and live on national television something that will likely never happen again in professional drag racing.
John Force’s greatest decades of dominance were the 1980s and 1990s, he suffered through injures after a horrific wreck in the 2000s and his career, while not languishing, his career had reached a spot where the wins were not coming with frequency but they were still trickling in. His last, the 149th came at Denver 25 races ago. There were flirtations with victory, there were lost finals, there were questions about his ability after a horrendous start to the 2018 season that saw his car exploding with regularity and crashing violently as well. Then 2019 dawned with Brian Corradi assuming the crew chief role after Courtney Force’s retirement. Then Austin Prock, with the help of Don Prudhomme got in a top fuel car as part of John Force Racing. Suddenly, 70 year old John Force had the most consistent nitro funny car in the world and assumed the second spot in the NHRA points.
The win in Seattle was not the crescendo of his season. Nope. The win in Seattle was a breakthrough. A wall of age, a wall of consternation, a wall of caged fury was broken down and for everyone else? Look out. The old man is back and he’s going to chase a 17th championship…like it or not.
A ranting, swearing, amazing romp of an interview followed this final round. You’ve gotta check it out.
The best. Having watched him my whole life from back when blowing up and crashing were weekly events through this monumental achievement….he has remained himself. When Don Garlits paid him the compliment of remembering when he had nothing and just kept plugging away at his dream…that culminated with the 150th win at an incredible 70 years of age. John still has that fire in his belly that refuses to be contained. Definitely a personality that won’t easily be matched.
Love him or f*&%^$# loathe him, the talkative, emotional, SOB has kicked ass and has been a blessing to professional drag racing.
So good to see, it was only a matter of time before Mr. John Force did it. Hands down one of our late fathers favorite of all time drivers and he would be happy to see it happen. Congratulations to Mr. Force and the whole team. One day hope to have one picture of our late fathers ride along with him on a great 300 mph plus run.
Way to go john! 150 wins
Awesome seattle weekend the run thru the stands was crazy thought he was gonna break something
The ” sisters of the passing wind” just shit themselves.
Absolutely fantastic and historic, he earned it all the way and he’s still the man to beat. Perhaps the greatest drag racer of all time, Mr. Funny Car, John Force. Brian thank you for helping to record and promote history.
I remember Mr. Force blowin’ stuff up, crashin’ at Seattle, Puyallup, Wa., Champion Raceway (S.F.) and many times at Fremont (baylands), never winning but pushing his stuff past the edge, then he got together with Austin Coil and Castrol and a legend was made—–AWESOME Mr. Force, you earned it ALL.
Wow 150 wins and still has more left in the tank. He is one of a kind. They broke the mold when John was made. Living legend.
And congrats to you Brain for making the call!
I can’t imagine nitro racing without Force