John Force, a drag racing Hall of Famer, may compete for another Funny Car title despite the fact that he will miss the remainder of the season while recovering from a traumatic brain injury sustained in an incident in Virginia last month.
Former Funny Car champion Jack Beckman will drive for Force, the 16-time Funny Car winner, for the remainder of the season.
NHRA rules allow teams a substitute driver who can gain points for the original driver for a maximum of eight events.
Force was second in points to teammate Austin Prock when he was hurt in Virginia on June 23 after his engine exploded and he collided with the walls. Force has not raced since then and is currently sixth in the standings, with Prock still leading.
Force spent roughly two weeks in a Virginia hospital before being transferred to a facility in Arizona. Force’s family has stated that he is presently undergoing outpatient care at home in California.
Beckman’s first points race for Force will take place on August 16 at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota.
According to John Force Racing CEO Robert Hight, 58-year-old Beckman, who last raced in the NHRA four years ago, meets all the requirements as a capable replacement for 75-year-old Force.
“I know how privileged I am to have been asked to stand in for John,” Beckman said in a statement, “and I should be easy to detect in the pits. I’ll be the man who never stops smiling.”