Drag racing icon John Force, a 16-time NHRA champion, is finally home after a month-long stay in a rehabilitation center following a severe John.force Crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals. The legendary Funny Car driver was discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, marking a significant step in his recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in the high-speed incident in late June.
Force’s release was announced by John Force Racing, bringing relief to fans and the racing community who have been closely following his progress since the frightening john.force crash. His daughter, Brittany Force, also an NHRA Funny Car driver, shared the heartwarming news on Instagram, expressing the family’s collective effort in supporting his continued recovery. “Peace out Phoenix! After 30 days my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy,” she wrote. “These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort!”
The next chapter of Force’s recovery journey involves outpatient therapy focusing on speech, occupational, and physical rehabilitation. These therapies are crucial to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive challenges resulting from the TBI he suffered in the john.force crash.
The incident occurred on June 23rd at Virginia Motorsports Park. Moments after achieving a blistering 302 mph run and winning his heat, Force’s Funny Car experienced an engine explosion. This catastrophic mechanical failure sent the vehicle careening into a concrete barrier at high speed, resulting in the john.force crash. Despite the violent impact and fiery wreckage, Force remarkably managed to exit the car. However, he sustained significant injuries, including a TBI and a fractured sternum, necessitating immediate airlift to a Virginia hospital. He spent 15 days there before being transferred to Barrow Neurological Institute for specialized rehabilitation.
Throughout his stay at Barrow, the Hall of Famer has shown remarkable resilience and progress. Updates from his team previously indicated that Force had regained his ability to converse and had recovered his equilibrium, allowing him to walk with assistance. However, daughter Courtney Force emphasized that despite these positive strides, her father still faces “a long road to recovery.”
Courtney Force also shared her sentiments on Twitter, expressing gratitude to the medical staff at Barrow Rehab and highlighting the one-month mark since the john.force crash. Accompanying her message were photos of her father in Phoenix, including one showing him with a cast on his right arm. “It’s been one month since his accident & he’s officially starting outpatient care back home! This will still be a long road to recovery for him, but we’re all still so proud of him.”
John Force’s legendary career spans back to 1978, amassing an astounding 157 Funny Car event wins. Even amidst this season’s challenges, he currently holds fifth place in the 2024 NHRA Funny Car standings after 11 events. His determination to recover and return is a testament to his enduring spirit and passion for drag racing, further solidifying his iconic status in the sport despite the recent john.force crash.
Contributing: Steve Gardner
