John Force remains in ICU after scary wreck at Virginia Nationals qualifying
John Force remains in the ICU at a Virginia hospital following his scary wreck during the first round of Sunday’s NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, his team announced Monday.
“After NHRA Safety Safari personnel extricated and stabilized the 16-time champion, he was transported by medical helicopter to a trauma hospital where he still was being observed and evaluated on Monday,” John Force Racing said in a statement. “Attending doctors purposely were moving slowly in assessing the extent of the injuries to the Hall of Fame owner and driver because of the intensity of the impact. Medical staff will not provide a treatment and recovery timetable until a total evaluation is completed.”
“Force’s daughter Brittany, a two-time World Champion, was joined at the hospital by her mother, Laurie, and sisters, Adria, Ashley, and Courtney. The family will maintain a presence while the team completed this weekend in Norwalk, Ohio. Updates on the 157-time tour winner’s condition will be released at the discretion of the medical staff.”
The wreck happened shortly after Force won his qualifying heat. His engine exploded causing his car to burst into a ball of flames. He crossed the track and slammed the wall on his opponent’s side. Then he came back to hit the wall on his side of the track. Force was alert when the safety team got to him, and he was subsequently sent to the hospital.
John Force receives outpouring of support after scary wreck
Force, 75, is regarded as one of the best drag racers of all-time with 157 career victories to his name. He holds the title as the winningest driver in NHRA history, winning a record 16 championships, all between 1990-2013.
Force has received an outpouring of support from fellow drivers since being admitted into the ICU.
“We’re keeping our pal John Force in our thoughts and prayers,” Tony Stewart Racing Nitro wrote on X. “He’s one tough cookie.”