History of John Force in Timeline
John Force is a retired American NHRA drag racer and team owner, widely considered one of the most dominant figures in the sport. He boasts 16 NHRA Funny Car championships as a driver and 22 as a car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing (JFR), accumulating an impressive 157 career victories. Prior to racing, he briefly played football in college. He is the father of fellow drag racers Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force, and Courtney Force, and his daughter Adria Hight is the CFO of JFR.
23 hours ago : Adria Hight, John Force's eldest daughter, tragically passes away at 56.
Adria Hight, the eldest daughter of NHRA legend John Force, has sadly passed away at the age of 56. Details surrounding her life and impact are being explored.
May 4, 1949: John Force's Birth
On May 4, 1949, John Harold Force, a future NHRA drag racing legend, was born.
1971: Drove Night Stalker Mustang
In 1971, John Force drove the Jack Chrisman-built Night Stalker Mustang, marking his debut in funny car racing.
1978: Early Career Points Finish
In 1978, John Force's points finish was 23rd, marking an early stage in his racing career.
1985: Early Career Points Finish
From 1978 to 1985, Force's points finishes were 23rd, 8th, 26th, 16th, 20th, 4th, 13th, and 5th.
1985: Win at ADRA World Finals in Spokane
In 1985, John Force won against Johnny West at the ADRA World Finals in Spokane, Washington with a time of 5.87 seconds at 252.10 miles per hour in the Coca-Cola Wendy's Funny Car.
1985: Castrol Partnership Began
In 2000, Force was sponsored by BP's Castrol brand, continuing the relationship between Force and Castrol that began in 1985 and lasted through 2014.
1986: Castrol Motor Oil Sponsorship
In 1986, Castrol Motor Oil became John Force's main sponsor, contributing to his subsequent success.
1987: Start of Dominant Era
From 1987 to 1996, John Force began a period of dominance, securing sixty-seven NHRA national event wins, four Big Bud Shootouts, and six World Championships.
1992: Cruz Pedregon Won the Championship
In 1992, Cruz Pedregon, driving the Larry Minor McDonald's-sponsored Olds, claimed the championship, marking a notable achievement in his career.
1992: Previous Title Drought
In 2003, for the 1st time since 1992, John didn't win the title. It was not all lost however, because teammate Tony Pedregon won his 1st world title.
1993: Start of Championship Wins
From 1993 to 2002, John Force achieved remarkable success with ten NHRA FC World Championship wins, including six consecutive wins from 1997 to 2002, leading to accusations of cheating.
1993: End of Oldsmobile Cutlass Era
John Force's association with the Oldsmobile Cutlass ended in 1993, concluding a chapter that began in the 1980s.
1994: Earned Nickname Brute Force
After winning his fourth Funny Car title in 1994, Force earned the nickname of "Brute Force" from drivers and announcers.
1994: Drove a Chevrolet
In 1994, John Force drove a Chevrolet for one season.
1995: Points Finishes
From 1986 to 1995, John Force had impressive points finishes, securing 4th, 4th, 6th, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, and 1st positions, highlighting his consistent performance.
1995: Switched to Pontiac
In 1995, John Force switched to driving a Pontiac, marking a change in vehicle sponsorship and alignment.
1996: Dominance Continues
From 1996 to 2000, John Force continued his dominance, finishing 1st in all 5 years, further solidifying his reputation in the racing world.
1996: Firey Crash at Dallas
In 1996 John Force's Castrol car caught fire at Dallas track similar to crash in 2018.
1996: Continued Driving Pontiac
In 1996, John Force continued to drive a Pontiac, maintaining the vehicle sponsorship and alignment from the previous year.
1996: Exceptional Performance in National Events
In 1996, John Force, with Austin Coil as tuning, achieved exceptional performance by reaching the final round in sixteen of nineteen national events, winning thirteen, a feat considered one of the best in Funny Car history.
1997: Start of Another Dominant Era
From 1997 to 2006, John Force maintained a high level of performance, reaching the final in 105 of 228 events and securing sixty-one tour wins, as well as achieving ten of the quickest or fastest passes in Funny Car.
1997: Started as a Ford Driver and Team Owner
In 1997, John Force began his tenure as a Ford driver and team owner, commencing a successful partnership that lasted until 2014.
2000: Dominance Continues
From 1996 to 2000, John Force continued his dominance, finishing 1st in all 5 years, further solidifying his reputation in the racing world.
2000: Castrol Sponsorship
In 2000, Force was sponsored by BP's Castrol brand, continuing the relationship between Force and Castrol.
2001: Gary Densham Joins JFR
In 2001, Gary Densham, a longtime friend and fellow drag racer, joined John Force Racing to drive a third car.
2002: End of Championship Wins
From 1993 to 2002, John Force achieved remarkable success with ten NHRA FC World Championship wins, including six consecutive wins from 1997 to 2002, leading to accusations of cheating.
2002: 10th Straight World Title
In 2002, John Force secured his 10th straight world title, further cementing his legacy as a dominant force in the sport.
2003: Title Drought Ends
In 2003, John Force didn't win the title for the first time since 1992, marking the end of a dominant era.
2004: Guest Starred in King of the Hill
In 2004, John Force guest-starred as himself in an episode of King of the Hill entitled "Dale Be Not Proud," where Dale Gribble donates a kidney to Force.
2004: 13th World Title
In 2004, John Force topped both Eric Medlen and Robert Hight to secure his 13th world title.
2005: Finished Third in Championship Standings
In 2005, John Force won 5 events but finished third in the championship standings, behind Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps.
2006: End of Dominant Era
From 1997 to 2006, John Force maintained a high level of performance, reaching the final in 105 of 228 events and securing sixty-one tour wins, as well as achieving ten of the quickest or fastest passes in Funny Car.
2006: Won 14th NHRA World Funny Car Championship
In 2006, John Force secured his 14th NHRA World Funny Car Championship, defeating Ron Capps in the quarter-finals.
October 26, 2007: Mike Neff Raced in a 4th Funny Car for JFR
On October 26, 2007, Mike Neff began racing in a 4th Funny Car for JFR, following the death of Eric Medlen.
2007: Poor Start and Rebound
Following the death of Eric Medlen and John Force's crash in Ennis, Texas, Force began 2007 poorly but rebounded with a win at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and other final rounds.
2007: Injured Hand
Force had lost some grip in his right hand due to a 2007 accident. This led to the development of the forward application handbrake, which has given several drivers in the Funny Car class quicker access to the brakes.
2008: Subpar Season and Safety Innovations
In 2008, John Force had a subpar season, finishing 7th, but became instrumental in developing safety precautions following Scott Kalitta's death, including a sensor for Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars.
2009: Force did not win a single race.
In 2009, John Force experienced a season where he did not secure a single race victory, leading to changes within his racing team.
2009: Finished 9th but won 16th Championship
In 2009, John Force finished 9th, but secured his 16th overall championship as a car owner, with teammate Robert Hight's championship, becoming the winningest car owner in NHRA history.
2009: Mandatory Safety Device
In 2009, the safety device developed to shut down the fuel pump and deploy parachutes in Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars in case of engine backfire became mandatory, aiming to prevent circumstances that led to Kalitta's death.
November 14, 2010: Won Championship at Auto Club of Southern California Finals
On November 14, 2010, John Force won the championship at the Auto Club of Southern California Finals in Pomona, CA, becoming the oldest NHRA champion in history.
November 16, 2010: Austin Coil Resigned from JFR
On November 16, 2010, Austin Coil resigned from John Force Racing, marking the end of a long-term partnership.
2010: Neff Drives Force's Car
As of February 7, 2011, JFR has already flip-flopped cars between John, Robert, Ashley, and Mike. Mike Neff will drive Force's car from John's 2010 championship season. Neff's Ford Mustang will be sponsored by Castrol Oil.
2010: Neff Became Force's Crew Chief
In 2010, John Force appointed Mike Neff as his new crew chief, a decision that subsequently led to Force winning his 15th NHRA Championship.
2010: 25th Anniversary and Winternationals Victory
In 2010, John Force celebrated 25 years with the same sponsor and 34 years in the NHRA, also winning the season opener at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in the 50th Winternationals.
February 7, 2011: JFR Car Swaps and Ashley Force Hood's Announcement
On February 7, 2011, JFR underwent car swaps between drivers, and Ashley Force Hood announced her pregnancy, leading to her sitting out the 2011 Full Throttle Drag Racing Season.
2012: Courtney Force Joins JFR and Wins Rookie of the Year
In 2012, Courtney Force joined JFR, was in contention for the Auto Club Rookie of the Year Award, and beat her father in their first meeting, and won the NHRA Road to the Future Rookie of the Year award, and her second-place finish in the season helped cement John Force Racing's legacy for several years to come.
July 2013: Jimmy Prock Replaced Mike Neff as Crew Chief
In July 2013, Jimmy Prock took over from Mike Neff as crew chief for John Force, while Mike Neff transitioned to become the crew chief for Robert Hight.
July 26, 2013: Announcement of Changes in John Force Racing
On July 26, 2013, it was announced that Ford Motor Company would no longer be a part of John Force Racing after the 2014 racing season, and that Castrol would also be leaving JFR after a 29-year business relationship.
2013: 16th NHRA Funny Car Championship Win
In 2013, John Force secured his 16th NHRA Funny Car Championship by winning the race against his daughter Courtney in the final round.
2014: Castrol Partnership Ended
In 2000, Force was sponsored by BP's Castrol brand, continuing the relationship between Force and Castrol that began in 1985 and lasted through 2014.
2014: Returned to Chevrolet
In 2014, John Force returned to driving Chevrolet vehicles, marking a change in vehicle sponsorship and alignment.
2015: Partnership with Chevrolet and New Sponsorship
In 2015, John Force announced a partnership with Chevrolet and secured a new sponsorship deal from Peak Antifreeze for the racing season.
2016: Victories and Championship Points
During the 2016 season, John Force debuted the new Chevrolet Camaro SS body in May and won four races. He concluded the season fourth in the Funny Car Championship points.
August 4, 2019: 150th Race Win at NHRA Northwest Nationals
On August 4, 2019, John Force achieved his 150th race victory at the Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, Washington, defeating Ron Capps. He broke a 25-race winless streak. He was not in the winners' circle due to celebrating with Austin Prock.
2020: Season Interrupted by COVID-19 Pandemic
After competing in the season opener, John Force and his teams paused racing for the majority of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning to return the following year.
2022: Win at New England Dragway
In 2022, John Force doubled at New England Dragway in the first New England Nationals since 2022 by winning the Mission Foods Challenge for semifinalists at the previous round defeating Blake Alexander then defeating Prock in the final round.
2023: New England Nationals Rescheduled
In 2023 the New England Nationals was rescheduled to Bristol.
June 2024: Traumatic Brain Injury in Fiery Crash
In June 2024, John Force suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fiery crash at Virginia Motorsports Park after his engine exploded at the end of a run. He was admitted into ICU but recovered.
June 23, 2024: Horrific Crash at the Virginia Nationals
On June 23, 2024, John Force had a horrific crash at the Virginia Nationals, which he was still recovering from as of November 2025.
November 13, 2025: Retirement Announcement
On November 13, 2025, John Force officially announced his retirement from driving on his John Force Racing Facebook page. He mentioned his desire to spend time with his grandchildren. Brittany Force previously announced her retirement to focus on starting a family, and Josh Hart was named her replacement.
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