John Force retirement (2 Viewers)

[ResidentEvilRock]

I just seen JFR had a FB live today. At the beginning, John announced his official retirement from driving. I can’t help but feel weird about this. I have watched Force race my entire life. When I was a kid watching Dad work on his car. Now as an adult, my kids watching and helping me in the garage while watching NHRA live. It’s going to be a strange time in 2026 with no Force’s racing. And deep down I can’t help but wonder if things would have been different if the tether deal wasn’t a huge factor in John’s last crash. The racing world just won’t be the same.

 

[sutton]

I think I have known John Force longer than I everyone on this site. John is a very good friend of mine and my late wife was the force team travel agent for years. John is the one of best thing that ever happened to drag racing IMOP. I am glad he is retiring still on 2 legs with all he went through during his years in racing. He will still be out there as team owner and supporting the sport he truly loves.
PS: John you still owe me a replacement Elvis tape.
Larry Sutton---

 

[J]

Kinda sucks,thx for all the good years john! Be cool to see him do a warmup in the pits

 

[jsracz]

Right decision. His health and family come first. Brain injuries are no joke and they impact every facet of life. Heal up the best you can John and enjoy life without getting into the seat. You're a legend in the sport and I'm happy to see you made the right call. Thank you for all the great memories. The announcement today is the best call you've made during your entire career.

 

[twostep]

We all saw the writing on the wall but it still hits hard. I didn't know John personally but I did have a chance 'meeting' with him once - at the Texas Motorplex probably 15 years ago. I was walking the pits, anxious to get to someone's pit area where I knew they were about to fire the car, when I heard one behind me fire up. I did an instant 180 in order to get to that one and ran straight into John who happened to be walking right behind me. I was mortified; he just laughed it off.

Call it a God thing or just simply fate but I believe there's a reason for everything. That crash may have put John on the sidelines but one never knows - the next one may have killed him. But he lives to see another day; pretty good shape considering, and still out there living his dream. And you gotta love that.

 

[Butch]

We should all be great full that John is able to walk away from the drivers seat and enjoy the racing that he loves as owner. Many never got that opportunity.

 

[J. S.]

Brian Lohnes said on the Live streaming of today's (Thursday's) action at Pomona that John Force racing will be expanding next year, with specifics to come in the next few weeks. Let the speculation begin.

 

[Litefoot]

We should all be great full that John is able to walk away from the drivers seat and enjoy the racing that he loves as owner. Many never got that opportunity.

Larry, thanks for your words about on Jhon, I was lucky to spend a few encounters with him, he is truly a very focused and intense competitor, very respectful with a great sense of humor, Thanks John for the unique and always fun memories

 

[Chili]

Brian Lohnes said on the Live streaming of today's (Thursday's) action at Pomona that John Force racing will be expanding next year, with specifics to come in the next few weeks. Let the speculation begin

Alexis Dejoria joining them in funny car.

 

[J. S.]

Alexis Dejoria joining them in funny car.

I recall reading of that possibility on this site in recent weeks. That seems like an odd combination to me, but assume Dejoria would bring some serious $$ to the Force camp and also possibly benefit from some shared date with the Prock Team.

 

[Chili]

I recall reading of that possibility on this site in recent weeks. That seems like an odd combination to me, but assume Dejoria would bring some serious $$ to the Force camp and also possibly benefit from some shared date with the Prock Team.

JCM is kind of partnering up with Ron Capps. Capps mentioned that in a video I saw recently but with zero details. Guessing they will share data and such when they run a TF car if they have funding. Sounded like Neff was coming back with her as well.

 

[TSK]

I first saw Force in person at Ennis in 1990. He had gone out early. After eliminations were over, my nephew and I were walking around the pits. This was before Force's popularity really took off. He was sitting on the steps to his trailer, drinking a beer, with one of his crewmen. There was nobody else around.
My wife had told me before the race that she wanted his autograph. I got one of his handouts and told him my wife told me not to come home unless I got his autograph for her. He signed the handout and I turned to leave.
I got about 30 feet away and he hollered at me, saying, "Hey, tell your wife "thank you" for me."
We still have that signed handout.

Edit: A picture from another Ennis weekend.

 

[stitcherbob]

"Retiring is easy...I've done it dozens of times". - Big Daddy Don Garlits

 

[Leebone]

Nobody saw that coming, . . . said no one.

 

[you]

Quick 3 minute watch

 

[twostep]

Quick 3 minute watch

Raise your hand if you'd like to see John do a farewell half-track burnout. Myself, I'd probably travel a long ways to see it.