John Force's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of John Force.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

2004: 13th World Title

In 2004, John Force topped both Eric Medlen and Robert Hight to secure his 13th world title.

2006: End of Dominant Era

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.