NHRA drag racing great John Force has been moved out of neurological intensive care after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a fiery, 300-mph crash at the Virginia Nationals last month.
The 75-year-old Force has been moved from neurological intensive care into acute neuro care at the hospital where he was transported by air ambulance on June 23, John Force Racing said Friday in a release.
Force suffered a traumatic brain injury and other injuries, including a fractured sternum, in the crash during the first round of Funny Car eliminations.
Force’s car had a catastrophic engine failure at the finish line, with the vehicle going across the center line and slamming into the left concrete guard wall, then careening back across into the right wall.
The team’s statement said Force still has periods of confusion and will likely at some point move to a long-term facility specializing in TBI and associated symptoms.
He has been able to speak and to walk with help from medical staff, but the release said ‘medical professionals emphasized once again that the journey ahead will be a long and difficult one.’
Following a 300mph crash in the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park on Sunday, Force was rushed to hospital after his vehicle caught ablaze and he crashed into a wall in terrifying scenes.