157-Time Winner John Force Undergoing "Further Evaluation" After 300 MPH Crash

Hall of Fame drag racer John Force was in a serious car accident while competing at the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park on June 23. After being evaluated on the track, he was then moved to a nearby hospital for further evaluation via medical helicopter.

The news of his injury has shocked drag race fans as they wait for news on his well-being. But what happened to John on the track?

While competing in the first round of the Funny Car races, the engine in John's car exploded, resulting in his car careening and crashing from one wall to the other after crossing the finish line. It's estimated his car was going around 300 mph at the time of the crash, likely resulting in some serious injuries.

Thankfully, no other vehicles were involved in the crash, and John was safely transported to a nearby hospital for further medical evaluation. At this time, there's no confirmation as to the extent of his injuries, though it's safe to say he was not able to complete the Funny Car race circut that day.

And the winner of the Funny Care division? Austin Prock, a racer on John's team.

“(The trophy) is going straight to the hospital to John Force,” he said upon being announced the winner, per WBDJ7. “It’s just tough to see somebody go through that, especially when it’s somebody you really care about, but I know he’ll be back. We’re race car drivers and we have to flip the switch. I know John wanted us to be out here, going rounds and I’m glad we did our job.”

John was hospitalized for “further evaluation," per a statement from his team, following the crash, and has remained in intensive care since arriving at the hospital. While in the ICU, his team confirmed that John was conscious and communicating in another statement posted on Monday night. The extent of his injuries has not been confirmed.

Though John will not be in attendance, his team will resume racing in Norwalk, Ohio in just a few days, despite the racer not having a treatment plan yet.

"Attending doctors purposely were moving slowly in assessing the extent of the injuries to the Hall of Fame owner and driver because of the intensity of the impact," the statement, posted to X, read. "Medical staff will not provide a treatment and recovery timetable until a total evaluation is completed."

Further updates "will be released at the discretion of the medical staff," though at this time there's little information on when fans will know the extent of his injuries.

Throughout John's multi-year career in drag racing, he's taken home 16 NHRA Championships and one AHRA Championship. Though it's been more than a decade since he's taken home the championship, the 75-year-old racer shows up every year to add another tally to his more than 150 career wins.