Meet the First Family of drag racing

Correspondent Lee Cowan puts the pedal to the metal for a thrilling ride with the members of the First Family of Drag Racing: National Hot Rod Association champion John Force and his three daughters, Courtney, Ashley and Brittany.

[@ericwg73]

Admittedly, I was a little worried this story was going to be too sappy or not take the Force family serious, but it was actually a very well done story which I enjoyed watching. I love the Force family. It’s so great, especially in this day and age, to see such a tight, respectful, humble, yet competitive and successful family thrive. And at the heart of the Force body is John. I don’t know how anyone couldn’t love that guy.

[@datdudenosense]

He just seems like such a humble dude... I love the way he talks, everything that comes out of his mouth is uplifting.👍

[@Hillbilly1175]

I've meet him he is very humble. You would think a superstar like John Force would be arrogant. No this man he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

[@Hillbilly1175]

I had the pleasure of meeting this man at Bristol last weekend 6/18/22. I've been a fan and watched him race on TV since I was a kid. And at 47 years old I got to go to an NHRA event and meet him. It one of the highlights of my life.Didn't get to meet the girls but maybe next time. I couldn't get over how humble he is. Just a super nice down to earth guy.

[@willieellis7009]

You from down here or you just come to visit. Never got to see the top he cars just the drag bikes and of course. The NASCAR race and I’ve lived here 44 years maybe one day

[@BlueJDMMR2]

I heard John Force is so fast, that he's actually younger by the time he reaches the end of the track (Theory of Relativity joke in case you don't get it)

[@fordenginebuildersv8power184]

In the history of racing, John Force is a true racer and showman! Wide open all the time! Great guy!

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

John is one of the nicest and funniest guys in NHRA racing.. He always comes up with something nutty and down to earth. We love him and his family of racers. Only in America....RACE ON..!!

[@chreylj13]

The Force Family are an awesome group of people! I saw them this June at Old Englishtown Raceway (Raceway Park) John, Courtney & Brittney are great to their fans! The day was awesome! The best part was watching John pull up on the motorcyle to the starting line every time Courtney or Brittney came up to race! A family that races together stays together!

[@retroguy1976]

the one thing ill miss about etown seeing force do his crazy burnout

[@gouryg4774]

John is the King of the Quarter Mile Burnout

[@mrcoz1764]

Force has always been my hero in racing,,,Since his accident,,watching drag racing hasnt been too enjoyable without him

[@lvmyfurmissle7221]

I love the way John Force handles the car, the crowd and that it has become a family event. I grew up at the strip working on dads rail that we ran experimental with and worked the way up. At one time just before the divorce he bought a rail off of Jim Walther's and unfortunately as fast as my new life at the track as a young kid started it ended with the divorce since he could not afford to keep it by giving his part of the ownership to her. I can now only live it seeing this family on the track. Gotta love them for all they are!

[@gregj831]

John Force is a racing icon and his three incredibly beautiful daughters are on fast pace to join him. It takes skill to keep those things straight and steady. Driving does run in the blood.

[@cammaida5137]

Just saw the Force family here at New England Dragway. Awesome down to earth people that have a genuine passion for what they do. God bless the Force family.

[@derekjlight]

Cam Maida I was there as well. I saw passion in John but not in either of the girls.

[@cammaida5137]

derekjlight​ For John, racing his in is blood and in that sense, John will always show the most passion for it. It's cool his daughters race as long as it is what they really want to do in life and don't feel pressured by it...

[@derekjlight]

Cam Maida I do see your point, but that's exactly what I couldn't figure out. Do they REALLY want to do it or are they just following in his footsteps. Either way both girls are very good at what they do.

[@Romans--bo7br]

Cam Maida Was Laurie there, as well ?? Haven't seen her once this year at any of the races.... could be be just the camera angles, but normally... she's not hard to find, behind the starting line. There isn't much that anyone could teach John about running a "flopper"...... but, at least up until recent years, he sure could have learned a few things about how to be a (Lot) better husband to his wife..... for such an emotional guy, he sure wasn't "there" for her "emotionally".... totally clueless !!

[@derekjlight]

2Stroke Diesel Power I can confirm she was there. I saw her in the staging lanes, etc.

[@Kilz78]

You may not like John F. but you HAVE to respect him!!!!!!!

[@bungalowmo]

No...we don't

[@jacobfrancis6792]

You don't have to but of your a drag racer, you should. John is a champion, like him or not.

[@kseries1981]

Who doesn't like John Force?

[@barrylambert8733]

Love to watch him race always have and always will

[@jefffuehr366]

John force is a legend

[@jefffuehr366]

he's funny to me

[@nemo227]

Indeed, YES! And we are witnesses to a legend in our time. In the future, we will be gone. John Force will be gone. But people will be reading about, hearing about, talking about, watching videos about John Force the legend.

[@aaroncarroll7218]

@paul austin there is always a hater.

[@BradyEikleberry]

He’s a awesome guy that’s why he’s my favorite driver in NHRA

[@geomodelrailroader]

you bet he is 150 wins and counting Old John Force is full of laughs and he always has another story of the glory days at the track. This is why he is one of my favorites my second favorite is Robert in his AAA Funny Car and for third it is Capp with Hagan fourth. In Top Fuel I like to watch Leah and I like to watch Brittany but Brittany is my favorite in Top Fuel. In Prostock Enders and in Bike it is Angie I have my favorites.

[@Nike2141]

The Nicest, most humble, amazing family you could ever have the pleasure of meeting. John took time out to take a photo with my little girl and signed her sweatshirt. Brittany also took a pic with her. Imagine how proud and amazed an 8 year old little girl was to see this little blonde haired girl driving the baddest car on earth. The girls of John's are true role models. I can honestly say I love this family. TEAM FORCE 100%

[@YoungoneYoung-lm4xe]

Best video i've seen this year.All the years of hard work and struggle have paid off.He deserves all of success he has and then some.Very humbling to see him choked up talking about his family.That shows you where his heart is.

[@timpreisser5462]

May the Force be with you always . the reason I go to drag races

[@navyman4]

HOLY CRAP............. this John Force guy is the most interesting man I've seen. He LITERALLY lives on the edge of life in every conceivable way. The absolute Edge of life itself... and stays positive and a winner.

[@JesusSavesall72]

John Force has always been and always will be!! LONG LIVE THE GOAT!

[@marktaylor5042]

This brief family focus was simply for real, and this is one unique and amazing family, indeed! Nice presentation.

[@katie2928]

I absolutely love him! He is the best!

[@gouryg4774]

One thing that the article forgets to mention is that in the wake of Scotty Kaletta's and Eric Medelen's fatal accidents John spearheaded a program to make the cars safer and invested a huge chunk of his personal fortune to fund it. He brought together a team of crewchiefs, automotive engineers, racers, and NHRA officials to make these cars safer. They made many improvements to chassis and cage designs and created safety systems to protect the driver if something goes wrong. John credits the first batch of improvements with saving his life when he wrecked. A lesser man would have hung it up after that wreck, but he lives for drag racing and those who said that he would never race again just lit a fire under him that made him push himself to get back in shape to drive. He truly is the indestructible old man of the NHRA.

[@geomodelrailroader]

yup it is called the Medlen Project and it is located in Indy right next to their shop Ruhal Racing is right across the street and shares space with Team Force in fact Courtney is married to Ruhal and manages their team.

[@micayiah1]

Great Video!What an awesome family!Can't wait to see them at the end of April for the spring nationals!

[@MappythePoliceMouse]

I didn't skip any part of this video! That's how much I love John!

[@robshane6634]

Ditto! Love this guy

[@MappythePoliceMouse]

Robby Shane Are you meaning that?

[@robshane6634]

All Access Gaming don't know what you mean or where your going with that.

[@MappythePoliceMouse]

Robby Shane I mean, did you mean the whole: Love this guy? thing.

[@MappythePoliceMouse]

Robby Shane Thanks! I really do love John Force! Best Funny Car driver ever!

[@kevintanner4908]

One AWESOME man and the family too!!

[@YCS-186]

True love and dedication to his sport. A true inspiration

[@JBZACK2001]

These are good people, so much love in their family♥️♥️♥️

[@lassoatrain]

I just love the whole family. I CANT hardly wait for the new season to start. I will be rooting for you all the way to Pomona .

[@elli003]

John, you just keep going on as long as you want. Love your enthusiasm.

[@truthseekerKJV]

I remember standing about 20 feet away and absorbing the ground pounding vibrations from John's Brute Force funny car doing burn outs at the Market Basket grocery store parking lot in Huntington Beach Ca. I was about 10 years old and that goes back 47 years. I was hooked as a spectator to drag racing from that moment.

[@64Magick]

THEY are an AMAZING FORCE!!! MORE POWER TO THEM!!

[@quickdeuce]

Loved Lee's last statement, "Surviving is what the Force family does,,,, 4 seconds at a time" There's so much awesome truth in that comment. All drag racing fans - perhaps I should say ALL RACING fans - wish JFR the very best and that God and the JFR angels continue sharing the team drivers seats as long as JFR is in the business.

[@johncollazzo7641]

s10truckkm I s1

[@CMH-aviation]

i get chills when they hit the throttle and the engine makes the brrrrrrrrm

[@Tanner-bg2qn]

michael touse that’s the sound of the clutch welding itself I together

[@NikoBased]

Well this was refreshingly good for a media piece.

[@Simpleton_X]

Surprised it didn't focus on John's "victims."

[@NikoBased]

@@Simpleton_X lol

[@txrick4879]

John always is high energy and he is not young anymore . His girls mean every thing to him .

[@VWC318]

God Bless you John Force!

[@fifteen8850]

This guy is awesome! Mad respect!

[@shelleymason9043]

Mad respect for John and his entire family. He is the CHAMPION for the SPORT. PERIOD. If it were not for John's "FORCE", his tenacity and true love...would there still be this great sport?? Mmm? I think NOT.

[@terrybruce5923]

I am not into drag racing that much, but always like to watch John drive....hard to find a happier man or see a bigger smile.

[@cheesecraig9291]

Great family God bless you all. The best ever.

[@JB-td3hm]

In September 2018 I will turn 50. I've been watching NHRA as long as I can remember. In September I'm finally going to a NHRA race. In St Louis something on my bucket list. Can't wait to September

[@bluecollarnobody4217]

An American family living the American dream can’t hate him for that lots of love for the force family keep on winning blood sweat and gears

[@sofalugger]

Such passion and believe within him. .he,s done it and got the T-shirt(s) True Legend

[@raycarter6225]

been a fan of nascar and drag racing since 60s.lot of legends.those were the good ole days

[@raycarter6225]

i had a 57 chevy that ran 10s with 327.68 camero,63 dodge dart with hemi. oh what a feeling that cant be described

[@makemyday2560]

Such a super Family of Great Americans. John is so proud of his daughters and we are Proud of John. He is the Funniest guy on the track...!!

[@davidcooper4385]

He said about being in a cage with a lion daily scared everyday what a treasured line...John u are awesome..

[@rcracer8872]

Im more of a NASCAR guy but what the force family has accomplished in the world of drag racing is absolutely incredible also Courtney's sponsor traxxas are such awesome rc vehicles i own 5 of them

[@maynardreed8374]

Quite possibly one of if not the best funny car drivers of all time.

[@michaellieske7173]

Just saw him race on Saturday 8-11-2018. Wow!! I don't know what else to say. 321 mph.

[@kimberlyalfred8599]

THE BEST RACE FAMILY AND A TRUE DYNASTY❤❤❤❤

[@michaelgriffin369]

Simply awesome!

[@JamesBaker-oe3ui]

That's why team force is so great,he taught his girls to be Unstoppable, only the win,the best teacher in the world of drag racing.

[@heineken6120]

john force is a legend!

[@tomballesteros4673]

I have a lot of respect for a Man that made from being poor to a successful! His mom and dad. Couldn’t help him to be a survivor in life . He’s like me! I understand it’s Tuff to be John FORCE !

[@dashobie]

The Force Family is every drag racing fans Dallas Cowboys,they are our idol's we love them.

[@arkwill14]

Except the Forces actually win.

[@choward874]

Perfect name for a living legend.

[@arniesegovia2809]

Really great story/video, very inspiring, thanks

[@cbr3220]

If there was a documentary about john force, i think gary busey should play him

[@mattmorris9133]

What a story I love it !!!!!

[@mz6954]

THIS IS GREAT !!!

[@dlxinfinite7098]

Force has always been a hoot. Just a likable guy.

[@TheFujac]

what a great guy.....he really is inspiring!!!

[@jerrycraig6522]

You feel it DEEP in your chest, it's AWESOME!!!

[@jeanniegodfrey3622]

Your the Best John Force 🏆🤩❤️

[@edwardsjr65]

John Force big papa you the man I love those girls

[@sithyarael6807]

I met John in "92/3ish on a plane. He was humble and gave us a NHRA thing. I had no clue who he was yet was early 90's .

[@xx1590]

Somewhere on the net, there is the best John Force photo ever, he was standing at the end of a vacant drag strip on a dark evening looking down the track in one of his drag suits with a very small little girl standing beside him also in a small version of the drag suit.

[@eh8112]

we love The Force Family

[@neilbrown7593]

My bucket list includes going to see his shop and meeting them all

[@poker_18rs92]

7:47 Brittany is very pretty!

[@MegaRussell12]

leah Is a skinny boobless twig with a crocked mouth. grose. I used to race jr dragsters with her. the luck is strong with that one. you get good when daddy has you in a race car every single weekend as well. not cheap.

[@imsickkid3806]

MegaRussell12 to each is their own

[@MegaRussell12]

TRUTH SIR. NOTHING BUT TRUTH, your typing.

[@waterbug85]

and 2017 Top Fuel Champion.

[@StrivingTowardsWhatIsAhead]

Smash

[@poulanpiper9419]

I look up to him and the same drive he uses in racing i use in my line of work.

[@castorini]

What work do you do?

[@Vdalem]

Talk about Legend!

[@joecarbone9627]

The Man.. Mr. John Force. Aint noone even close to touch him. I so Respect that man.

[@tonyb337]

A family of FORCE indeed, I remember some of his very first races,,good people

[@amywilkins543]

He’s THE GOAT!!!❤

[@johnconcialdi5584]

John should run for president...

[@rondellschuyler7074]

John Force is a nicest athlete celebrity that I've ever met I have met many country music stars, rock and roll Stars oval track race car Stars Indy car Stars I've met many people but nobody nobody touches John Force. I would gladly have a beer with him.

[@kathyfox4345]

Love you and your daughters john you wont quit ride hard ❤

[@traebennet3294]

I saw John force for the first time and I like him and John force racing

[@bishop1029]

everything about this dood is awesome. including his badass kids.

[@lestudio76]

Gary Busey's brother.

[@rocketn8]

lmfao

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Damn, I never saw it before, but yeah, he does look a bit like Busey! It's hard to say which one is nuttier though! 😁

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

Great Dad, and a pretty darn good driver too.

[@Pasovineyard]

Well, like John. I started in drag racing decades ago. My hero's, Stone Woods and Cook.

[@krankillen]

love it!!

[@ronhodgkinson7683]

A huge fan of John driving his 400 pound lion at 300+.

[@dashobie]

John Force made Drag Racing what it is today.

[@nebraskanassassin6058]

Met him at the nationals show in Scribner, Nebraska 1994. Best days back then I also met Shirley Muldowney Big Daddy Don Garlits Bob Riggle and my neighbor Bob Chavaneu

[@JohnRussoPBC]

Salute !! we can relate to the Family ..The American Dream Going all in !

[@rondellschuyler7074]

Some may say this is a wrong way to raise and support a family. But this is the way John Force paid the bills, the mortgage, clothes for his family and brought the groceries home. Now Because John Force believed in himself, his hard work, inspiration and persperation, John Force does not have to wish or want for nothing. Success for many is mostly sweet. GO FOR IT ! Life is short.

[@rustycomer9437]

Brittany, CONGRATULATIONS! Family of champions.

[@turboslag]

A man that really does have it all!!

[@robbinbanx7439]

John Force is a Force of NHRA!!

[@dannyblack3814]

John is the Greatest there is

[@richf.7845]

The Lord of the Track.

[@chevfan88]

John force & Dale Sr ledgends

[@awsomeassistantthebest1825]

That right there is a great man who cares about his family especially after that accident three beautiful girls ,Wow can't ask for anything more

[@papasmodelcarroom8450]

He's the BEST BEST ....nothing else to say

[@thegreek8962]

Thank you

[@CHUCKNORRIZSFOOT]

Love John force I basically grew up at a drag strip in Cordova IL and as a child my father seen him picking used parts out the trash the other guys tossed. How the tables have turned huh!

[@samijosephyahya3388]

1:54 I bet that transmission tunnel sitting right between your legs feels like a tank missle.

[@bluesky-ud9wg]

No one will ever eclipse his records

[@slyknezz6862]

Ya they have over 10,000 HP now! LoL It’s just Insane how much power is in these cars!