John Force, the standout NHRA champion renowned for a record-breaking career in Funny Car racing, firmly declines the title of motorsports’ greatest of all time, instead highlighting the significance of Richard Petty‘s NASCAR racing legacy. At a 2022 NHRA media session, Force was candid when facing comparisons to Petty’s legendary record, making it clear that records across motorsports disciplines tell unique stories.
John Force Emphasizes Distinction Between Racing Disciplines
Holding 157 Funny Car victories, 167 top qualifying positions, and 16 world championships from 1990 to 2013, John Force stands alone atop NHRA’s history books. Yet, when confronted with the question of surpassing Richard Petty’s famed 200 stock-car wins, Force addressed the notion directly, drawing attention to the differences between their sports. During the event, when prompted about chasing Petty’s milestone, he addressed the topic with characteristic candor:
“I’d only be bull‑jiving myself, and I don’t go there. I don’t think about it. I’ve had people say, ‘Go after (Richard Petty’s) record 200 wins, but I never raced Petty. So why would I even say that?”
—John Force, NHRA Champion
Force made it a point not to measure himself against drivers from other disciplines, instead crediting his own mentors and the trailblazers who enabled his ascent. While he openly respects Richard Petty’s profound NASCAR impact, he underlined that true greatness comes from facing and measuring oneself against direct competitors within the same racing realm.
Legacy-Builders at the Forefront of American Motorsports
Both Force and Petty have shaped racing dynasties for decades, not only as drivers but as influential team owners and mentors. Richard Petty’s extraordinary 200 Cup Series wins and seven championship titles over a career spanning five decades serve as pillars of NASCAR’s identity. Similarly, John Force has become synonymous with NHRA excellence, pushing the limits and guiding new generations through John Force Racing. Although neither legend currently competes, their involvement in racing organizations ensures their influence endures.
This deference reflects Force’s humility and loyalty to icons who set the standard before him. Beyond cross-discipline legends, Force acknowledged fellow NHRA icons—such as Bob Glidden, whose 85 national event wins once seemed untouchable—as benchmarks. When Force eclipsed Glidden’s total, the significance of that moment was apparent, underscored when he recalled their exchange:
“Glidden was standing there with me, and he goes, ‘Well, good luck. You can break my record.’ And I said, ‘You’re the greatest there ever, but I never raced you. Why am I going after your record?’ None of that makes sense.”
—John Force, NHRA Champion
Heroes Remain At the Center of Force’s Motivation
Despite dominating NHRA statistics, John Force has often described himself as “still chasing” his heroes—figures such as Don ‘Big Daddy’ Garlits, Don Prudhomme, and Shirley Muldowney—all of whom gave Funny Car racing its pulse before he arrived. These icons, along with contemporaries and rivals, defined the bar Force constantly aimed for rather than mere numbers. Speaking at a press gathering, he declared:
“I’m still chasing the Don Prudhommes and the heroes of my era. I’ll never be ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits. And I’ll never be Shirley (Muldowney). But I don’t want to be. I just want to be John Force – a racer that does what he loves. I don’t ever want to get compared.”
—John Force, NHRA Champion
Force’s attitude has remained steady in the years since that conversation. Even as he advanced into his seventh decade, his competitive spirit showed no signs of waning. In 2023, he produced two runner-up finishes and closed the season ranked seventh in points, even adding a No. 1 qualifying slot to his enduring resume.
Sustained Success and Ongoing Impact
Even in 2024, Force delivered a series of standout performances, capturing victories at Pomona Winternationals and Epping, securing a runner-up result in Chicago, and achieving a top qualifying run at Charlotte. His triumph in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at Epping further cemented his veteran prowess. Force was also recognized as Person of the Year and Fan Favorite by NHRA’s National Dragster All-Star Team, underscoring his enduring popularity and influence.
A severe accident in Virginia during the 2024 season halted his direct on-track activities, but Force continues to shape the next era of NHRA through his role with John Force Racing. His resilience and connection to the sport exemplify the spirit that defined his career and the foundation laid by those he respects, including Richard Petty and the heroes he refuses to forget.
The ongoing legacy of legends like John Force and Richard Petty speaks not just through numbers, but in the culture, progress, and reverence they inspire across American motorsports. By placing the Richard Petty NASCAR racing legacy at the forefront, Force demonstrates that the true measure of greatness involves more than records—it is about honoring the pioneers, and in doing so, leaving an example for generations to follow.
