Legendary drag racer John Force is grappling with a severe head injury stemming from a harrowing crash at the Virginia Nationals.
Following a four-day stint in the trauma intensive care unit, Force has been transferred to the neurological intensive care unit, a development his family has welcomed as a positive milestone.
John Force Racing has disclosed that the 75-year-old driver is exhibiting signs of improvement, but his path to recovery will be long and arduous.
The crash, which occurred during the inaugural round of Funny Car eliminations, saw Force’s vehicle suffer a catastrophic engine failure at an astonishing 302 miles per hour, resulting in a violent collision with the concrete guard wall.
Force’s remarkable resilience was evident in his ability to converse with safety personnel immediately after the accident. He received preliminary medical attention from the NHRA team at the track before being airlifted to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
This incident marks Force’s second major crash, following a previous accident in Ennis, Texas, in 2007, which left him with injuries. Despite this, he has continued to compete at the highest level, achieving a record 157th NHRA victory just three weeks prior in New Hampshire.
The Force family has expressed profound gratitude for the exceptional medical care John has received and has been heartened by the outpouring of support from friends, fans, and the racing community.
His daughter, Brittany, a two-time world champion, has been a constant presence at his side, accompanied by her mother and sisters. In a show of solidarity, Brittany will forgo competing in the upcoming race in Norwalk, Ohio, to remain with her family during this challenging period.