Drag racing icon John Force, a 16-time NHRA champion, is finally back home after a month-long stay in a rehabilitation center following a traumatic high-speed crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in late June. The John Force Wreck, which involved a dramatic engine explosion and collision with a concrete wall, resulted in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other injuries for the legendary driver.
John Force Racing officially announced that Force was discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, a specialized neurological rehabilitation center. He had been transferred there to address cognitive and behavioral symptoms stemming from the TBI he sustained in the John Force wreck. The news brings a wave of relief and optimism to fans and the racing community alike.
His daughter, Brittany Force, also a Funny Car driver, shared the positive update on Instagram, expressing the family’s collective effort in his ongoing recovery. She highlighted that her father is “finally heading home” after 30 days and will continue outpatient therapy. This next phase will focus on speech, occupational, and physical therapy to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive challenges from the John Force wreck.
Video thumbnail showing the play icon for a news report about John Force's wreck at the NHRA Virginia Nationals.
The terrifying John Force wreck occurred on June 23rd at Virginia Motorsports Park. After winning his heat with an impressive 302 mph run, Force’s engine exploded, sending his Funny Car careening into a concrete barrier at high speed. Despite the severity of the John Force wreck, he managed to exit the vehicle, but not without serious injuries. He was quickly airlifted to a Virginia hospital, where he received initial treatment for 15 days before being moved to the Barrow Neurological Institute. Besides the TBI, Force also suffered a fractured sternum in the John Force wreck.
While the road to full recovery remains long, Force has shown remarkable progress. Earlier updates from his team indicated that he could converse and had regained his equilibrium, enabling him to walk with assistance. His daughter, Courtney Force, acknowledged the “long road to recovery” ahead but also expressed immense pride in her father’s resilience and progress since the John Force wreck.
Courtney Force shared photos on Twitter of her father in Phoenix, including one showing him with a cast on his right arm. She thanked the medical staff at Barrow Rehab for their excellent care during his stay. The focus now shifts to outpatient care back home, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to his rehabilitation after the John Force wreck.
John Force’s legendary career spans back to 1978, with an astounding 157 Funny Car event wins. Even in the 2024 NHRA Funny Car standings, he holds a respectable fifth position, despite the recent John Force wreck and subsequent recovery period. His determination to overcome this setback is a testament to his enduring spirit and passion for drag racing. The racing world eagerly anticipates updates on his continued recovery and eventual return.
