Racing legend and NHRA Funny Car driver, John Force, made his return to the drag racing scene at the Ford Performance Nationals, held at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. During the event, Force provided an update on his recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a June 2024 crash and announced new sponsorship deals for his team.
On June 23, 2024, Force was involved in a severe crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals. His engine exploded during the race, causing him to crash into a concrete barrier at speeds exceeding 300 miles per hour. The incident resulted in Force sustaining a traumatic brain injury, a fractured sternum, and a right wrist injury.
Whilst speaking to the media in Las Vegas, Force explained:
“I’m going to be spectating for awhile. That’s what I need to do to get well. I got hit in the head – not just once . . . a lot of times. And it all kind of built up.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m a spectator, like you. So let’s have some fun today.”
The path to recovery has been arduous. Following the accident, Force was quickly flown to a Virginia hospital. He spent over two weeks in intensive care, initially in the Trauma ICU, then transitioning to the Neuro ICU as his condition began to improve. Intensive rehabilitation followed, first at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, to address cognitive and physical challenges, before returning to California for outpatient therapy.
