NHRA legend John Force was moved out of intensive care Friday, two weeks after a fiery crash and resulting traumatic brain injury during the Virginia Nationals in North Dinwiddie, Va.
The 75-year-old was moved into an acute neuro care unit at a hospital in Richmond, Va. Force continues to deal with cognitive issues and “behavioral symptoms” as the result of his injuries, according to a statement from John Force Racing.
“The fact that (Force) can converse with medical staff, family members and John Force Racing president Robert Hight … is an encouraging sign,” the statement said. “However, there have also been periods of confusion, which doctors say require time and patience to treat.”
The statement revealed that Force also sustained a fractured sternum and a right wrist injury in the crash.
Force and his family are known as “the first family of drag racing” for their collective dominance in the sport. Force won 16 NHRA Funny Car championships as a driver and another 22 as a car owner. His daughters Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force and Courtney Force all have competed in NHRA drag racing.
The elder Force continues to compete well into his 70s. He won as recently as June 2 at the NHRA New England Nationals, his second victory of the year.
The Motorsports Hall of Famer crashed June 23 when his car sustained a catastrophic engine failure at the finish line. He slammed into a concrete guard wall at 302 mph. He was alert and talking when he was rescued and taken to a local hospital before being heavily sedated.
Force’s recovery is expected to be “long and difficult,” although the Los Angeles-area native has been able to walk in recent days with the assistance of medical staff.
