NHRA drag racing icon and 16-time champion John Force has been moved from neuro-intensive care to acute neuro care at a Virginia trauma hospital. This transition marks a significant step in his recovery from serious injuries sustained in a crash during the first round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park on June 23. According to a statement by John Force Racing, the 75-year-old suffered a traumatic brain injury, along with a fractured sternum and a right wrist injury.
Force’s accident occurred after he won his first-round Funny Car race. His car suffered an explosion past the finish line, sending it veering into the other lane and crashing into a concrete wall at an estimated speed of 302 mph. The car then spun and briefly went airborne before a secondary impact in his original lane. Despite the severity of the crash, Force was conscious and speaking with safety personnel before being transported via helicopter to a nearby medical center.
John Force Racing has indicated that Force faces a “long and difficult road to recovery” as he deals with cognitive and behavioral symptoms resulting from his brain injury. On Friday, July 5, the team shared that Force is now able to converse with medical staff and family members. He has also regained enough equilibrium to begin walking with assistance. However, he has experienced periods of confusion and will likely need to be moved to a long-term facility specializing in traumatic brain injuries and associated symptoms. The timetable for this move has yet to be determined.
Force is the most prolific and accomplished racer in NHRA history, boasting 157 race wins and 16 Funny Car titles. At the time of his accident, he was second in this year’s points standings, having won two of the first eight races of the season. His career, which spans six decades, has not been without its share of serious accidents. In 2007, Force suffered a broken ankle and dislocated wrist, among other injuries, in a crash at the Fall Nationals in Texas, causing him to miss the remainder of that season.
Less than two weeks after the crash, doctors acknowledged Force’s positive response to treatment. The latest upgrade to acute neuro care was welcomed by Force’s family members, who have maintained a presence at the hospital since his arrival. Medical professionals emphasized that the journey ahead will be long and difficult. Although Force is still dealing with cognitive and behavioral symptoms from his traumatic brain injury, his team stressed that his ability to converse with medical staff, family members, and team president Robert Hight, who flew in this week, is an encouraging sign. However, the periods of confusion he experiences require time and patience to treat.
Force’s ability to start walking with the assistance of medical staff members is also noteworthy. According to his family, the next step for the man whose career has spanned six decades will likely be a move to a long-term facility specializing in traumatic brain injuries and associated symptoms. A time frame for that move has not yet been determined.
John Force’s condition was unclear for several days following the crash before his team revealed the traumatic brain injury, confirming that the 16-time NHRA champion faced a long road to recovery. Despite the challenges ahead, Force remains the most successful racer in NHRA history, with 157 race wins in addition to his 16 titles. His career, which began in 1978, has seen three of his daughters follow him into the drag-racing circuit. His daughter Brittany, currently competing in the NHRA’s Top Fuel division, opted out of competing at an event last weekend to stay with her father at the hospital.
The racing community and fans alike are rallying behind Force, offering their support and well-wishes as he embarks on this challenging journey to recovery. The resilience and determination that have defined his illustrious career will undoubtedly play a crucial role in his rehabilitation process. As updates continue to emerge, the focus remains on providing Force with the best possible care and support to aid in his recovery.
Source: John Force Racing, NHRA
