Sixteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force has been vintage John Force thus far in the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Series campaign. Once known as much for burning cars to the ground or crashing as he was for winning races and championships, the patriarch of the Force family has paid a visit to a local medical facility for evaluation twice in as many races in this young season in the wake of major explosions in his Peak Chevrolet Camaro — three times if you consider returning to the hospital to support daughter, Brittany, who was admitted following her high-speed accident in Pomona.

Force, who qualified fourth at this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix, was racing alongside Jonnie Lindberg in the second round of eliminations when he experienced a spectacular explosion at the finish line on his way to a 4.13-second victory. The concussion sent Force’s car — sans its demolished Camaro body — across the ceterline in the shutdown area, where it made contact with Lindberg’s Toyota, ultimately sending both cars careening into the guardrail.

Lindberg climbed from his battered machine under his own power, while Force, confirmed to be alert and speaking to Safety Safari personnel, was transported to an area hospital due to the severity of the accident. Force later returned to Wild Horse Pass to celebrate daughter Courtney’s Funny Car victory.