Bernie Fedderly, revered as a cornerstone of John Force Racing’s legendary “brain trust,” passed away at age 76.
Born in 1942, Fedderly’s early passion for cars began in Alberta, Canada, where he honed his skills through automotive classes at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and spent weekends with the Capitol City Hot Rod Association. His first professional steps were as a fleet mechanic before transitioning to a storied career in drag racing.
His breakthrough came in 1980 alongside driver Terry Capp when the pair secured victory at the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. This landmark achievement set the stage for Fedderly’s rise as one of NHRA’s most respected crew chiefs.
Joining Larry Minor Racing in 1982 as a crew chief marked a turning point. Fedderly notably teamed with legendary drivers including Terry Capp, Ed “the Ace” McCulloch, and later, at John Force Racing, alongside Austin Coil.
His partnership with Coil at JFR produced unprecedented success—tuning Force to an extraordinary 109 national event wins and 13 NHRA Funny Car championships between 1992 and 2012, including a record-breaking streak of 10 consecutive titles.
Bernie Fedderly, inducted into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame, leaves behind a profound legacy, respected deeply within the racing community for his knowledge, innovation, and mentorship.
Bernie Fedderly is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Mary.
This story was originally published on March 17, 2025. 
