NHRA Icon John Force Reflects on Recovery and Mental Health Challenges

After a severe crash and ongoing therapy, the 16-time champion discusses his fight with depression and hints at a potential return to racing.

John Force, a 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion, is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, fractured sternum, and wrist injury sustained in a high-speed crash earlier this year.
Force has opened up about his decades-long battle with depression, which has been exacerbated by his accident and ongoing recovery process.
The 75-year-old credits his gym routine as a critical tool in managing his mental health struggles, which he says have persisted since childhood.
While Force has yet to return to racing, he recently appeared in the garage to support his team and expressed his desire to compete again in the future.
John Force Racing has extended driver Jack Beckman's contract, with Force emphasizing that his focus remains on recovery and not immediate plans to return to the cockpit.