Drag racing legend John Force, widely hailed as one of the most successful and enduring figures in NHRA history, is on a challenging road to recovery following a traumatic brain injury sustained earlier this year. His daughter, Brittany Force, recently shared a hopeful update on her father’s condition, indicating a possible return to the NHRA scene is on the horizon.
The incident that has temporarily sidelined Force occurred during a qualifying heat at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in June when his engine exploded, causing his car to burst into flames and crash into the track’s walls. Despite the severity of the crash, Force remained conscious and was quickly transported to VCU Medical Center.
His initial hospitalization lasted 15 days, after which he was transferred to the Barrow Neurological Institute, a facility renowned for treating neurological injuries in athletes. An update from John Force Racing explained at the time:
“After spending 15 days in varying levels of intensive care at VCU Medical Center, drag racing champion John Force was released Tuesday in time to board an AirMed ambulance for a three-hour flight to a neurological rehab center at which treatment for the Traumatic Brain Injury he suffered in a June 23 crash will continue.
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“The 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion’s departure from the facility to which he was airlifted after crashing at more than 300 miles per hour was considered by family members to be a major step forward in the recovery process.
“However, medical staff cautioned that the road ahead still is a difficult one. Force is dealing with cognitive and behavioral symptoms from the TBI. And while he has been able to converse with family and staff, enjoy the company of grandsons Jacob and Noah Hood and celebrate a Monday birthday with daughter Brittany, he still is prone to periods of confusion.
“Family members said that no timetable had been established for the length of Force’s stay at the new facility which was selected because of its success in treating other race car drivers with similar issues.”
Brittany Force has been providing updates and remains hopeful about her father’s potential return to the sport he loves. When speaking to the media in Las Vegas, Brittany revealed that her father may make a return to the NHRA Las Vegas and Pomona events to be with the team. She explained:
“We’re pushing for it if he’s ready.”
John Force continues outpatient therapy at home and the hope is he might be able to attend the NHRA Las Vegas and Pomona events to be with the team. Brittany Force says it’s up to him and how he’s feeling.
“We’re pushing for it if he’s ready.” pic.twitter.com/0oQV042xYW
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) October 20, 2024
John Force has a professional career that stretches over five decades, known for his extraordinary record of 157 career victories and 16 NHRA Funny Car Championships.
The latest official update from the team came on 23 July, which stated:
“A month after an engine explosion sent his race car careening into a concrete guardwall at more than 300 miles per hour at Virginia Motorsports Park, drag racing champion John Force was discharged Tuesday from Barrow Neurological Institute, where he was undergoing rehab for a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
“According to family members, while the 16-time Funny Car Champion will continue to work with therapists specializing in such injuries, it now will be on an outpatient basis in California.”
