John Power was hospitalized after a fiery crash through the NHRA Virginia Nationals on Sunday.
The 75-year-old racing legend was extricated from his automobile after an engine explosion brought about his Humorous Automobile to make a number of impacts with the skin retaining partitions. Per an announcement from John Power Racing, Power was hospitalized for “additional analysis” in an intensive care unit at a close-by medical heart.
The assertion stated that Power was “injured” within the crash, however didn’t specify his accidents aside from saying he was aware and speaking with NHRA security workforce members after the crash.
The explosion occurred after Power received his first-round race.
Power is essentially the most profitable racer in NHRA historical past. He’s received 16 Humorous Automobile titles and has 157 NHRA race wins all through his illustrious profession. Power received his first NHRA title in 1990 and went on to win 12 extra titles from 1991 via 2004.
His most up-to-date championship got here in 2013, although he’s at present second within the factors standings behind fellow JFR racer Austin Prock and has received two of the primary eight Humorous Automobile races in 2024.
Power started his skilled drag racing profession in 1978 and his three daughters have all pushed on the high ranges in NHRA. Ashley Power Hood and Courtney Power have since retired from driving whereas Brittany Power drives a High Gasoline dragster for her father’s workforce.
Sunday’s crash is not the primary brutal wreck Power has been concerned in throughout his profession. In 2007, Power suffered a damaged ankle and dislocated wrist amongst different accidents through the Fall Nationals in Ennis, Texas. Power needed to be airlifted to a hospital after that crash and was pressured to sit down out the remainder of the season. Power’s crash that yr got here simply months after JFR driver Eric Medlen was killed in a testing crash in March. Medlen died after struggling a head harm when his automobile began violently tire shaking.