While most his age are pottering around their garden or walking the fairways of their local golf course, John Force is winning drag races.
The 75-year-old NHRA veteran raced to his 157th career victory on Monday morning (AEST), defeating teammate Austin Prock in the Funny Car final at the New England Nationals in the US state of Vermont.
Force clocked a 4.081-second run at 513.84km/h in his Chevrolet Camaro SS, while Prock ran a 4.096 at 509.16km/h.
“I came here 40-something years ago and this place is special,” Force said after the race.
“We had a good race car and what keeps me alive is driving this hotrod and all these fans.
“I’m down right now because don’t like beating my teammate in the final – he is the future. I love that kid. He’s going to be here for a long time.”
Force then announced he would be winding down his racing commitments as he edges towards retirement.
I’m not being dramatic, but my time is up. It was up when I was 65. Hell, it was up when I turned 50,” he said.
“The world is changing for me and I’ve got to do some real thinking.
“I’m not quitting today. I’m going to (the next race), but I just know I’m not what I used to be.”
Three of his children – Ashley, Brittany and Courtney – also race, while his eldest Adria is his John Force Racing team’s chief financial officer.
It was Force’s second win for the season, and his third at New England Dragway. The 16-time Funny Car season champion also won a preliminary race a day earlier. He now sits atop the season standings.
Force had been competing for a decade by the time he finally won his first race in 1987.
He is the holder of more all-time records than any other driver in NHRA history.
Unsurprisingly, he tops the NHRA all-time win list, and has more than double that of his nearest rival.
