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NHRA legend John Force faces difficult road to recovery, leaves hospital for rehab center

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes•07/09/24•

NickGeddesNews

John Force
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NHRA legend John Force was released from the ICU at VCU Medical Center Tuesday, 15 days after his scary wreck during the first round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Force’s road to recovery remains “difficult,” as he is being transported to a neurological rehab center to receive treatment for the traumatic brain injury he suffered in the crash.

“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,” John Force Racing said in a statement. “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.”

Daughter of John Force posts hospital photo, updates NHRA legend’s status

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.

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.

Brittany Force, John Force’s daughter, posted a picture on Instagram Sunday of her father sitting in his hospital bed with the family surrounding him.

“Thank you everyone for your ongoing prayers for my dad after his accident in Richmond,” she wrote. “My family and I have seen the outpour of uplifting words and support over the last couple of weeks and we are so appreciative of you all. It truly means so much to us.”