History of John Force in Timeline

John Harold Force is a prominent figure in American NHRA drag racing. With 16 NHRA Funny Car championships and 22 car owner titles, he is one of the sport's most successful drivers, boasting 157 career victories. Force heads John Force Racing (JFR), where he also drives. Beyond his racing career, he's recognized as the father of fellow drag racers Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force, and Courtney Force. His eldest daughter, Adria Hight, serves as JFR's CFO.

May 4, 1949: Birth of John Force

John Harold Force was born on May 4, 1949.

1971: John Force's First Funny Car

John Force drove his first funny car, the Jack Chrisman-built Night Stalker Mustang, in 1971.

1978: John Force's Early Career

John Force began his professional racing career in 1978.

1985: John Force Wins ADRA World Finals

In 1985, John Force won the ADRA World Finals in Spokane, Washington, against Johnny West in the finals.

1985: John Force's Early Career

John Force continued to build his career, with varying degrees of success, through 1985.

1985: Beginning of John Force's Sponsorship with Castrol

John Force's enduring partnership with Castrol began in 1985.

1986: Castrol Becomes John Force's Sponsor

John Force secured Castrol Motor Oil as his main sponsor in 1986, marking a turning point in his career.

1987: Start of John Force's Dominant Period

Between 1987 and 1996, John Force achieved significant success in NHRA national events and secured multiple championships.

1992: First Time Since 1992 John Force Does Not Win Championship

2003 marked the first time since 1992 that John Force did not win the championship.

1992: Cruz Pedregon Defeats John Force

In 1992, Cruz Pedregon, driving the Larry Minor McDonald's-sponsored Olds, defeated John Force to win the championship.

1993: John Force's Switch to Oldsmobile Cutlass

John Force drove an Oldsmobile Cutlass throughout the 1980s until the end of the 1993 season.

1993: Beginning of John Force's Championship Streak

John Force's dominance in Funny Car racing began in 1993, with a streak of ten NHRA FC World Championship wins.

1994: John Force Earns the Nickname "Brute Force"

After winning his fourth Funny Car title in 1994, John Force earned the nickname "Brute Force" from fellow drivers and announcers.

1994: John Force's Brief Stint with Chevrolet

John Force briefly drove a Chevrolet in 1994.

1995: John Force's Switch to Pontiac

John Force started driving a Pontiac in 1995.

1995: John Force's Continued Success with Castrol

John Force's partnership with Castrol continued through 1995, during which he achieved significant success in the sport.

1996: John Force Continues Driving Pontiac

John Force continued to drive a Pontiac in 1996.

1996: Fiery Victory in Dallas

John Force experienced a memorable victory in Dallas, during which his Castrol car caught fire, foreshadowing a future event at the same track.

1996: Tony Pedregon Joins John Force Racing

Tony Pedregon, brother of John Force's rival Cruz Pedregon, joined John Force Racing as a driver in 1996.

1996: John Force's Record-Breaking Year

With Austin Coil tuning his car, John Force had one of the best records in Funny Car history in 1996, reaching the final round in sixteen of nineteen national events.

1997: John Force's Continued Success

Between 1997 and 2006, John Force maintained his exceptional performance in NHRA events, reaching numerous finals and achieving victories.

1997: John Force Becomes a Ford Driver and Team Owner

John Force became a Ford driver and team owner in 1997.

2000: John Force's Continued Sponsorship with BP's Castrol Brand

John Force continued his long-standing sponsorship with BP's Castrol brand in 2000.

2000: John Force's Continued Success with Tony Pedregon

John Force, with teammate Tony Pedregon, continued to dominate the sport, securing five consecutive championships.

2001: Gary Densham Joins John Force Racing

Longtime friend and fellow drag racer Gary Densham joined John Force Racing, driving a third car for the team in 2001.

2002: John Force Wins His 10th Straight Championship

John Force achieved an incredible feat by winning his 10th consecutive world title in 2002.

2002: End of John Force's Championship Streak

John Force's impressive streak of ten consecutive NHRA FC World Championship wins ended in 2002.

2003: Tony Pedregon Wins Championship

Tony Pedregon, driving for John Force Racing, won his first world championship title in 2003.

2004: John Force's Cameo Appearance in "King of the Hill"

John Force made a cameo appearance in a 2004 episode of the animated sitcom "King of the Hill" titled "Dale Be Not Proud."

2004: John Force Wins His 13th Championship

John Force made a comeback in 2004, securing his 13th world championship title.

2005: John Force Finishes Third in Championship Standings

Despite winning five events in 2005, John Force finished third in the championship standings.

2006: John Force's Continued Success

John Force continued his impressive performance through 2006, showcasing his enduring success in the sport.

2006: John Force Wins His 14th NHRA World Funny Car Championship

John Force secured his 14th NHRA World Funny Car Championship in 2006, defeating Ron Capps in the quarter-finals of the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.

September 23, 2007: John Force Injured in Crash at O'Reilly Auto Parts Fall Nationals

On September 23, 2007, John Force was injured in a crash at the O'Reilly Auto Parts Fall Nationals in Ennis, Texas, while racing against Kenny Bernstein.

October 26, 2007: Mike Neff Joins John Force Racing

On October 26, 2007, Mike Neff began racing a fourth Funny Car for John Force Racing following the death of Eric Medlen.

2007: Injury and Inspiration

During the 2007 season, John Force experienced an accident in Texas that affected his grip in his right hand, making it challenging to apply the brakes effectively using the traditional handbrake. This incident, along with the injuries he sustained, highlighted the need for improved brake accessibility in Funny Car racing, ultimately contributing to the development of the forward-application handbrake.

2007: John Force's Challenging Season

John Force had a difficult start to the 2007 season, including a DNQ ending his long qualifying streak, but he rebounded with wins and top finishes.

2008: A Subpar Season and a Push for Safety

John Force finished the 2008 season in 7th place, marking his first time outside the top five since the beginning of his career. Despite this, the year proved significant as Force became a key advocate for driver safety following the death of Scott Kalitta. He played a crucial role in implementing new safety measures, including the development of an engine sensor that shuts down fuel supply and deploys parachutes in case of a backfire. Force also influenced the introduction of an optional forward-application handbrake, a modification prompted by his own injuries and the need for quicker brake access.

2008: John Force Inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

John Force was honored with an induction into the prestigious Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2008.

2009: Force Family Legacy and a Championship Win

John Force finished the 2009 season in 9th place while his daughter Ashley secured 2nd place and teammate Mike Neff came in 10th. Despite John's individual standing, he achieved a significant milestone by securing his 16th overall championship as a car owner thanks to teammate Robert Hight's victory. This accomplishment solidified Force's position as the winningest car owner in NHRA history.

2009: John Force Fails to Win a Race

The 2009 season marked the first time John Force did not win a single race.

2009: Safety Innovations Implemented, New Champion Crowned

The start of the 2009 season saw the implementation of the safety devices John Force was instrumental in developing. These new safety protocols were made mandatory for all drivers.

November 14, 2010: A Championship Clincher in Pomona

On November 14, 2010, the Auto Club of Southern California Finals in Pomona, CA became the stage for a dramatic championship showdown. John Force entered the race trailing 28-year-old Matt Hagan by 38 points. Needing to finish two rounds ahead of Hagan to clinch the championship, Force's hopes were bolstered when Bob Tasca III eliminated Hagan in the first round. Force capitalized on this opportunity by winning his first two rounds against Gary Densham and Bob Bode, securing his championship title. He continued his winning streak by defeating Melanie Troxel in the semi-finals and ultimately triumphed over Jeff Arend in the finals. This victory etched John Force's name in the history books as the oldest NHRA champion.

November 16, 2010: Coil's Departure

Two days after Force's championship win, his long-time crew chief, Austin Coil, announced his resignation from John Force Racing, marking the end of a successful partnership.

2010: Mike Neff Becomes Crew Chief, John Force Wins 15th Championship

In 2010, John Force made Mike Neff his crew chief, a decision that led to Force winning his 15th NHRA Championship.

2010: Force's Championship Year

John Force won the 2010 NHRA Funny Car Championship.

2010: Celebrating Milestones and Leading the Pack

The year 2010 marked a significant milestone for John Force, as he celebrated both 25 years with his sponsor and 34 years in the NHRA. Adding to the celebration, Force kicked off the season by winning the opener at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in the 50th Winternationals in California, defeating Ron Capps. After 13 events, Force had already secured four victories and held a commanding lead in the Funny Car points standings, sitting 58 points ahead of his teammate, Robert Hight.

February 7, 2011: New Season, New Lineup, and Testing Begins

The start of the 2011 season brought changes to John Force Racing. Ashley Force Hood announced her pregnancy and decision to sit out the racing season. As a result, John took over her Ford Mustang, while Robert Hight remained in the Auto Club of Southern California Ford Mustang. Mike Neff transitioned from co-crew chief to driver, piloting Force's championship-winning car from the previous year. By February 7, JFR was already immersed in testing for the upcoming season, with Force leading the pack, Hight in fifth, and Neff in sixth position.

2012: Courtney Joins the Force Racing Legacy

The 2012 season marked the arrival of a fourth Force driver, Courtney, John's daughter and a former Top Alcohol Dragster champion. Courtney, driving the Traxxas Ford Mustang, made an immediate impact, even besting her father in their first head-to-head race at the Arizona Nationals in Phoenix. While John Force finished the season in fifth place, Courtney's performance added another layer to the Force Racing legacy. She earned the NHRA Road to the Future Rookie of the Year award and secured second place in the season standings.

July 2013: Jimmy Prock Becomes Crew Chief for John Force

In July 2013, Jimmy Prock replaced Mike Neff as crew chief for John Force.

July 26, 2013: Shifting Gears: Ford and Castrol's Departure

The year 2013 brought significant sponsorship changes for John Force Racing. On July 26th, it was announced that Ford Motor Company would end its partnership with the team following the 2014 racing season. Additionally, primary sponsor Castrol, after a 29-year relationship with JFR, revealed plans to depart after the 2014 season.

2013: A Sweet Victory Against All Odds

In a display of resilience and determination, John Force triumphed at the penultimate race of the 2013 season. Facing off against his daughter Courtney in the final round, Force emerged victorious, clinching his 16th NHRA Funny Car Championship. This victory was especially significant as it came amidst the backdrop of impending sponsorship changes and the evolving dynamics within John Force Racing.

2014: John Force Returns to Chevrolet

John Force returned to Chevrolet in 2014 after driving Ford for many years.

2014: End of John Force's Sponsorship with Castrol

John Force's long and successful sponsorship with Castrol came to an end in 2014.

2014: End of an Era: Ford and Castrol's Final Season

The 2014 racing season marked the end of an era for John Force Racing, as it was the final year of partnerships with long-time sponsors Ford Motor Company and Castrol.

2015: New Partnerships and a Fresh Start

The year 2015 marked a new chapter for John Force Racing as John announced a partnership with Chevrolet, ushering in a fresh era for the team. Alongside this significant change, Force secured a new sponsorship deal with Peak Antifreeze, providing a solid foundation as he embarked on this new phase of his career.

2016: Camaro Debut and a String of Victories

The 2016 season saw John Force debut the new Chevrolet Camaro SS body at the Kansas Nationals in Topeka, Kansas. Force's season was marked by a string of victories, as he secured wins at the Mile High Nationals in Bandimere, Colorado, the Sonoma Nationals in Sonoma, California, the Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Carolina Nationals in Charlotte, NC. These impressive wins propelled him to a commendable fourth-place finish in the Funny Car Championship points standings.

2018: Triumph and Terror in Texas

John Force had a fiery crash at the Dallas track in 2018, marking this event as significant.

August 4, 2019: Breaking Records and Emotional Celebrations

August 4, 2019, became a historic day for John Force as he achieved his 150th career win at the Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, Washington. In a thrilling finish, Force edged out Ron Capps, ending a 25-race winless streak that stretched back to his previous victory in Colorado the year before, also against Capps. This win was particularly emotional for Force, who expressed his relief and joy with uncharacteristic exuberance. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, Force witnessed Austin Prock, a driver on his Top Fuel team and the son of a Force Racing mechanic, secure his first career win. Force's absence from the winner's circle, as he rode his pit bike into the stands to celebrate with Prock and the fans, exemplified his genuine excitement and camaraderie.

2019: U.S. Nationals Victory

Continuing his winning momentum from his 150th career win, John Force capped off the 2019 season by clinching the prestigious U.S. Nationals title. This victory solidified his status as a racing legend and demonstrated his enduring competitiveness at the highest level of the sport.

2020: Pandemic Disruption

John Force began the 2020 season with a strong showing as runner-up at the season opener in Pomona, California. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the racing season to an abrupt halt after just two events. Force and his teams, along with the entire motorsports world, faced unprecedented challenges and uncertainties as the pandemic forced postponements and cancellations.

2022: John Force Wins Double at New England Dragway

In 2022, John Force secured a double victory at the New England Dragway. He first won the Mission Foods Challenge against Blake Alexander, then went on to win against Prock in the main elimination tournament, marking his 157th victory.