Drag racing legend John Force was discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute, nearly a month after a harrowing crash sustained during a Funny Cars competition at the Virginia Nationals. At age 74, the 16-time Funny Car champion experienced a high-speed accident triggered by an engine explosion, which sent his car spiraling at over 300 miles per hour, resulting in a dramatic collision with concrete barriers.
The team has produced a statement that confirms: “A month after an engine explosion sent his race car careening into a concrete guardwall at more than 300 miles per hour at Virginia Motorsports Park, drag racing champion John Force was discharged Tuesday from Barrow Neurological Institute, where he was receiving treatment for a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). “According to family members, the 16-time Funny Car Champion will continue to work with therapists who specialize in similar injuries, but now on an outpatient basis in California.
‘He finally gets to sleep in his own bed,’ said daughter Ashley Hood who, with sisters Brittany, Courtney and Adria and mother, Laurie, maintained a constant presence through the Hall of Fame driver and car owner’s hospitalizations in Virginia and Arizona.
“The next phase in the recovery process will be outpatient speech, and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues.”
Force suffered multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and a fractured sternum, necessitating immediate intervention from the on-site medical team before airlifting him for specialized care.
Brittany Force shared her father’s transition from hospital to home on social media, writing:
Peace out Phoenix! After 30 days my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy. These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort! Here’s some pictures from our time in Phoenix.”
Force’s illustrious career, which included a record 157 NHRA event wins from 1990 to 2013, established him as a drag racing legend. Despite the difficulties, his racing team continues to be a source of strength. Austin Prock, a teammate, recently dedicated his victory in Virginia to Force, demonstrating the strength of their bond. Prock stated, as quoted by the Mirror:
