Another update in the recovery of legendary NHRA Funny Car champion, John Force. He has now left intensive care and is continuing his recovery. Force was involved in a serious accident on June 23rd and had to be airlifted to the hospital.
John Force Racing is now revealing the extent of Force’s injuries. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, known as a TBI. He also fractured his sternum and had a right wrist injury. There is good news in this latest update.
Medical staff and doctors have been working hard to get Force on the road to recovery. He is now responding positively to the treatment and has moved to an acute neuro care unit.
The latest update was welcomed by Force family members who have maintained a presence at the hospital since the 16-time NHRA Champion’s arrival, but medical professionals emphasized once again that the journey ahead will be a long and difficult one.
“Although Force is still dealing with cognitive and behavioral symptoms from his TBI, the fact that the Hall of Fame driver can converse with medical staff, family members, and John Force Racing president Robert Hight, who flew in this week, is an encouraging sign. However, there have also been periods of confusion, which doctors say require time and patience to treat.
Funny Car legend John Force remains in intensive care at a Virginia hospital, two days after a frightening crash during qualifying at the NHRA Virginia Nationals.
John Force Racing sent out an update on the Hall of Fame driver and team owner Monday night, saying he was still being observed and evaluated by doctors, who “purposely were moving slowly in assessing the extent of (his) injuries.”
Force, 75, won his heat with a 302 mph run at Virginia Motorsports Park but his engine exploded in a massive fireball shortly after he crossed the finish line. The car crashed into both side walls, but Force was able to escape the flaming wreckage.
Doctors are awaiting a total evaluation of Force’s condition before formulating a timetable for his treatment and recovery.
Force’s daughter Brittany, a two-time NHRA champion, was joined at the hospital by her mother, Laurie, and sisters Adria, Ashley and Courtney as the family will remain there while the racing team competes this weekend in Norwalk, Ohio.
The 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion has won a total of 157 races during his legendary career, which began in 1978. He currently ranks second in the 2024 NHRA Funny Car standings through nine of 21 events this season.
