Veteran NHRA racer John Force suffered a severe traumatic brain injury following a harrowing crash at the Virginia Nationals about a week ago. During the first round of Funny Car eliminations, Force’s car, traveling at approximately 300 mph, encountered a catastrophic engine failure just after crossing the finish line. The malfunction sent his car careening across the centerline, smashing into the left concrete guard wall before violently striking the right wall.
At the scene, Force was responsive, communicating with safety personnel before the NHRA medical team conducted an initial examination. Due to the gravity of his injuries, he was airlifted to the hospital, where he was placed in a trauma Intensive Care Unit and later transferred to a neurological ICU for specialized care.
After a week of stressful uncertainty, Force’s condition seemed to be improving. Force, who was unable to follow directions or move at first, began responding to commands and recognizing family members after five days of intense sedation. Notably, he interacted vocally and performed movements such as giving a thumbs-up, showing a considerable improvement in his recuperation. The most recent update from the team reads:
“After five tense days during which he was heavily sedated while battling the effects of injuries suffered in the 300 mile-per-hour crash of his drag racing Funny Car, 16-time NHRA World Champion John Force has begun to show daily signs of improvement, according to family members who have maintained a presence at the trauma hospital to which he was transported by air ambulance on Sunday.
