In a heart-stopping moment during the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals, drag racing legend John Force narrowly escaped a fiery crash that left spectators in shock. The 75-year-old, known for his remarkable career, crossed the finish line at an incredible speed of 302.62 miles per hour when the engine of his funny car suddenly exploded.

Despite the terrifying incident, Force emerged as the winner of the first round, defeating Terry Hadcock. However, he was promptly transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. According to John Force Racing, he was conscious and able to communicate with NHRA Safety Safari personnel immediately after the crash.

The footage of the crash is truly unbelievable, as Force's funny car experienced a catastrophic engine failure, nearly veering into the right-side wall before careening across the drag strip and crashing into the concrete wall on the left side. The car became engulfed in flames and began shedding body parts, but remarkably, the roll cage and cockpit remained intact.

Force's injuries have not been fully disclosed by his team, only stating that he was taken to a nearby medical center for evaluation in the ICU. The extent of his injuries is currently unknown.

Despite this frightening incident, John Force has no plans to retire from the sport he loves. In fact, the racing veteran has publicly named his 28-year-old teammate, Austin Prock, as his successor. While Force was in the hospital, Prock went on to win the event and announced that he would be delivering the trophy straight to Force as a gesture of support.

Prock expressed his concern for Force, mentioning that it is difficult to witness someone you deeply care about going through such an ordeal. Nevertheless, he remains confident in Force's ability to bounce back and join him on the track. Prock emphasized the importance of race car drivers being able to switch gears and continue performing, as that is what Force would have wanted.

This is not the first time that Force has endured a serious crash. In 2018, he was also hospitalized after an incident at the Arizona Nationals. Despite his age, Force has proven that age is just a number by winning two out of the first eight races of the season. He currently holds the second position in the NHRA Funny Car standings, right behind his teammate, Austin Prock.

As the racing community rallies around John Force during his recovery, fans and fellow competitors alike eagerly await his return to the track. Despite the severity of the crash, Force's indomitable spirit and passion for drag racing remain unwavering.