John Force Pays Emotional Tribute To Bernie Fedderly As Legendary Crew Chief Passes Away
March 17, 2025
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John Force has paid tribute to Bernie Fedderly after the legendary crew chief passed away, aged 76.
Fedderly saw incredible success during his time with John Force Racing. Partnered with driver Austin Coil, the pair celebrated 109 national event wins, 13 NHRA Funny Car championship, and a record-breaking 10 consecutive titles.
Sharing a tribute to Fedderly, 16-time NHRA champion Force shared that he had spoken with his wife the day before his passing.
Revealing that Fedderly “taught him a lot about business and life”, John Force Racing shared to X:
John Force, 14 time NHRA Funny Car Champion, speaks during a press confrence, prior to during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2007 in Daytona,… John Force, 14 time NHRA Funny Car Champion, speaks during a press confrence, prior to during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2007 in Daytona, Florida.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
“‘I had a good conversation with Mary the day before Bernie passed. He was very important to me and taught me a lot about business and life. We enjoyed a lot of success together: he, Austin (Coil), and me. We love Bernie, and he will be missed.’ – John
“Bernie Fedderly was such an important part of the JFR family, and his family and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers.”
“I had a good conversation with Mary the day before Bernie passed. He was very important to me and taught me a lot about business and life. We enjoyed a lot of success together: he, Austin (Coil), and me. We love Bernie, and he will be missed.” – John
Bernie Fedderly was such… pic.twitter.com/VSS3KLMhxc
— John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) March 17, 2025
Fedderly, who was inducted into both the Drag Racing Hall of Fame and Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame, had previously spoke about his time working with Force, describing that time in his career as “really special.” Fedderly explained in 2013:
“It was never boring, that’s for sure,” he reflected. “Force sometimes had a hundred ideas an hour, and it was up to us to make them happen, and sometimes that was pretty challenging, but we got through it. Some of the safety things that came from those times are important advances. Losing Eric and John’s accidents definitely were the down times; we went through some pretty low periods.
“Working for John Force was a really special and interesting time,” he said, probably understating the obvious. “We didn’t lack for anything. Force reinvested in the program, anything we needed, and it shows in the results. Force was never afraid to step up, and he wasn’t afraid to try and gave all of us quite an education. He knew how to create chemistry and put the right people together.”
Our thoughts are with Fedderly’s family and friends during this difficult time.
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