John Force Racing’s update on the status of Robert Hight, a three-time NHRA Funny Car champion and team president, has only added to the uncertainty surrounding his return to the circuit.

Hight, who has been on medical leave since January, has prioritized his health over work commitments. His absence from NHRA events last year, as well as recent announcements, raise questions about the future of his career and the direction of John Force Racing.

Hight, who has been president of John Force Racing since January 2011, remains an important figure within the organization.

On June 7, team owner John Force provided an update on Hight’s situation during a media interaction in Bristol, Tennessee. He clarified that Hight is not in the hospital, but he prefers to stay away from the tracks and media inquiries. In Force’s words, quoted by Drag Illustrated:

“No, Robert is fine. What he is going through is an ongoing process. He’s not in the hospital. He is at home. He just doesn’t want to come to the races. He doesn’t want to answer all the questions.”

Adding to the uncertainty, it was announced at the PRI Show in Indianapolis that Hight will not compete in a Funny Car in 2025. This decision highlights the complexity John Force Racing faces as they adapt to changes within their team.

Robert Hight’s impressive career includes 65 wins, 102 finals appearances and 84 number one finishes, making him a top player in NHRA history. Hight’s legacy includes NHRA championships in 2009, 2017 and 2019. He amassed 626 round wins, tied for the third-highest ranking in Funny Car history. Despite his impressive achievements, Hight remains steadfast in his decision to focus on his health. As he said in a statement in January:

“I have to put my health first. As soon as the problem is resolved, I will be back.”

Meanwhile, Austin Prock has transitioned into Hight’s racing role. Prock’s entry into the Funny Car category is supported by a new three-year sponsorship deal with Cornwell Tools. Interestingly, Hight personally recommended Prock as his replacement.

Additionally, Jack Beckman was named as John Force’s replacement in the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS for the 2024 season after Force suffered a horrific accident at the Virginia Nationals. Beckman’s extensive experience and longstanding collaboration with co-crew chief Chris Cunningham made him the ideal candidate for this role.

Force himself is still recovering from the crash. Regarding his potential return to competition, Force explained, as Newsweek Sports previously reported:

“I still go to therapy every week and work as hard as I can to be back with the sponsors and fans in a sport that I love and miss. I still have a lot of things I want to do.” So I don’t want anyone to think they’ve seen the last of John Force. We’ll have a lot more to talk about after the holidays.