Southern California drag racing veteran John Force has begun rehabilitation after spending more than 15 days in a Virginia hospital recovering from a brain damage sustained in a terrifying 300-mph incident.
The 75-year-old Force, who was born in Bell Gardens and now lives in Yorba Linda, had a traumatic brain injury on June 23 during a crash during his first-round run in Funny Car eliminations at Virginia Motorsports Park. After his engine exploded near the finish line, the car crossed the strip’s centerline and collided into the driver’s side left concrete guard wall. The car then careened back across the track and collided with the other wall.
Force also fractured his sternum and injured his right wrist in the crash.
Force was freed from a Virginia hospital on Tuesday and flown to a neurological rehabilitation clinic, according to his racing team. According to the family, the transfer was a significant step forward in Force’s recuperation.
“However, medical staff cautions that the road ahead still is a difficult one,” the statement continued. “Force is dealing with cognitive and behavioral symptoms from the (traumatic brain injury) 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.”
No timetable was set for Force’s stay at the rehab center.
