November 29, 2024 — John Force, the legendary NHRA drag racing icon, has made a bold and surprising statement in the wake of Toyota’s announcement that it will exit the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) after the 2025 season. The $311 billion Japanese automobile giant will continue its involvement in motorsports, but it will shift its focus to “supported teams” rather than maintaining a direct presence in the NHRA series.
Force, a 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion, has been a mainstay in the sport for decades, and Toyota has been one of his major sponsors and partners for years. However, with Toyota’s exit, the motorsport world has been left reeling, and Force himself was quick to address the news with a mixture of shock, concern, and optimism.
Force’s Shocking Statement:
“Toyota has been a big part of my journey, and I’ve had some incredible moments with them, but hearing that they’re pulling out of NHRA racing after 2025 was a tough pill to swallow,” Force said in an emotional statement to the media. “It’s a big change, no question about it, but motorsport is a business—just like any other—and business decisions have to be made. I’m hopeful that whatever happens, I’ll still be able to race with the support of great teams and sponsors. We’ll keep pushing forward.”
Toyota’s Exit and Future Involvement:
The Japanese automaker, which has been a key partner in the NHRA since the early 2000s, made the decision following several years of declining results and mounting pressure on the corporate bottom line to focus on alternative forms of motorsports and innovation. Toyota had already indicated that it would be reassessing its involvement in various motorsport disciplines, and the NHRA, with its relatively niche following compared to global racing giants like Formula 1, ultimately became a target for withdrawal.
Despite exiting from direct sponsorship and team ownership in NHRA, Toyota will continue to play a role in supporting independent teams within the series, a move that will allow them to maintain a presence in the sport without the overhead of direct involvement.
Impact on the NHRA and the Sport:
For NHRA fans, the loss of a major sponsor like Toyota is undeniably a blow. Toyota’s presence in the sport helped elevate the profile of drag racing, particularly in the Funny Car and Top Fuel divisions, where the automaker has been a dominant force. However, the company’s decision to focus on more cutting-edge racing formats such as electric vehicles (EV) and sustainability initiatives has prompted a strategic shift away from traditional motorsports.
John Force, whose career has spanned over four decades, is no stranger to changes in the sport and the motorsports world at large. However, he acknowledged that the loss of a major player like Toyota raises questions about the future of NHRA and its ability to attract and retain sponsors in the years to come.
“Change is a part of racing, and we’ve seen it in all forms of motorsport,” Force said. “But there’s no doubt that the NHRA will face challenges in the next few years. We need to evolve, adapt, and bring in new partners and new fans. It’s going to be up to all of us to keep this sport alive and growing.”
Looking Ahead:
As Force and other NHRA drivers look to navigate the changes in sponsorship and team dynamics, all eyes are on how the sport will react to Toyota’s exit. Will other automakers step in to fill the void, or will NHRA be forced to redefine its identity and structure moving forward?
One thing is clear: with legends like John Force still in the driver’s seat, the passion and commitment to drag racing remain unwavering. Whether racing with or without major automotive manufacturers, Force is committed to keeping the sport alive for the next generation of fans and competitors.
In the end, Force’s resilient mindset and the collective effort of NHRA’s tight-knit community will likely drive the series through these uncertain times as it seeks to build a more sustainable future in the ever-evolving landscape of motorsports.
