Ethan Rhodes
John Force, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion, was hospitalized in June 2024 after a horrific crash at the Virginia Motorsports Park. Force's car exploded and crashed into a concrete wall at over 300 miles per hour, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other serious injuries. He spent time in intensive care and underwent rehabilitation, with his condition and recovery gaining widespread attention due to his legendary status in the racing world. So, is John Force still in the hospital?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of discharge from hospital | 23 July 2024 |
| Hospital name | Barrow Neurological Institute |
| Location | Arizona |
| Reason for hospitalisation | Traumatic brain injury (TBI) |
| Date of accident | 23 June 2024 |
| Previous hospital | VCU Medical Center, Richmond |
| Number of days spent at VCU Medical Center | 15 days |
| Age | 75 |
| Achievements | 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion |
| Next phase of treatment | Outpatient speech, occupational and physical therapy |
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What You'll Learn
John Force's release from hospital
NHRA drag racing legend and 16-time Funny Car Champion John Force has been released from the hospital. Force, 75, sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a crash at the Virginia Nationals on June 23, 2024. He was airlifted to the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, where he spent 15 days in intensive care. On July 9, he was transferred to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona for further treatment.
Force was discharged from the Barrow Neurological Institute on July 23, 2024, a month after his accident. He was released in the care of his family and will continue his recovery at home in California. His daughter, Ashley Hood, expressed relief, saying, "He finally gets to sleep in his own bed." Force's other daughters, Brittany, Courtney, and Adria, and his wife, Laurie, were also by his side during his hospitalization.
Force's recovery process will now focus on outpatient speech, occupational, and physical therapy to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues. He will continue to work with therapists specializing in traumatic brain injuries. Force's family has maintained a constant presence during his recovery and considers his release from the hospital a significant step forward.
The racing champion's crash occurred when his engine exploded, causing his race car to careen into a concrete guardwall at over 300 miles per hour. This incident marked the second time Force had been seriously injured, as in 2018 he sustained a hand injury and a previous crash in 2007 that left him injured at 58 years old. Despite these setbacks, Force has continued to race at the highest level, showcasing his dedication and passion for the sport.
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John Force's recovery process
John Force, the NHRA drag racing legend, was released from inpatient hospital care in July 2024. Force had been undergoing rehabilitation for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) following a crash at the Virginia Motorsports Park on June 23, 2024.
Force's car engine exploded, causing his vehicle to crash into a concrete guard wall at over 300 miles per hour. The 16-time Funny Car Champion suffered a TBI and other injuries, including a fractured sternum. He spent more than two weeks at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, with varying levels of intensive care, before being transferred to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona on July 9 for further specialist treatment.
During his hospitalization, Force experienced cognitive and behavioural symptoms, including periods of confusion, as well as short-term memory issues. Despite these challenges, he was able to interact with his family and celebrate his daughter Brittany's birthday.
Following his release from the Barrow Neurological Institute, Force continued his recovery on an outpatient basis in California. The next phase of his recovery process involved outpatient speech therapy, as well as occupational and physical therapy (OTPT) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues. Force worked with therapists specializing in TBI to manage his ongoing symptoms and maximize his recovery.
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John Force's traumatic brain injury
On June 23, 2024, NHRA Funny Car legend John Force suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a horrific crash at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. Force, 75, was transferred to the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, where he remained hospitalized for two weeks.
Force's vehicle suffered an engine explosion, causing him to veer across the center line and into a concrete wall at over 300 miles per hour. The impact of the collision caused Force to rebound back over the line and hit the guard wall again.
Following the accident, Force underwent heavy sedation for five days and was initially unable to follow commands to open his eyes, squeeze the hands of caregivers, or move his extremities. However, he gradually began to show signs of improvement, responding to commands and recognizing family members.
On July 9, 2024, Force was released from the VCU Medical Center and transported to a neurological rehab center via AirMed ambulance. He was admitted to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, where he continued his rehab for TBI. Force's family expressed optimism, noting that he was able to converse with them and medical staff.
The next phase of Force's recovery will focus on outpatient speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues. While he still faces a long and challenging recovery process, Force's improvement is a testament to his resilience and the dedicated support of his medical team and family.
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John Force's crash at Virginia Motorsports Park
On June 23, 2024, NHRA drag racing legend John Force was involved in a major crash during the first round of Funny Car eliminations at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. The 75-year-old racing champion suffered a fiery engine explosion at the finish line, causing his car to cross the centre line and strike both guard walls before coming to a stop. Force's car was travelling at speeds over 300 miles per hour when the crash occurred.
Force was alert and conscious following the crash and was examined onsite by the NHRA Medical Team before being transported to a local medical facility, the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, for further evaluation and care in the ICU unit. He was reported to be talking to safety officials immediately after the crash, demonstrating his resilience and quick thinking in the face of adversity.
The accident marked a significant setback for the 16-time NHRA champion, who had recently achieved his record 157th NHRA victory in New Hampshire just three weeks prior. Force's impressive career and reputation in the racing world made his crash all the more notable, with many sending their well wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery.
Force was discharged from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona on July 23, 2024, a month after the crash. He had been undergoing rehabilitation for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and was transferred to the facility on July 9 after spending over two weeks at the VCU Medical Center. Force's recovery process included outpatient speech therapy and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues associated with his injury.
The support from Force's family was unwavering throughout his recovery journey. His daughter, Ashley Hood, expressed relief at her father finally being able to sleep in his own bed, and she, along with his other daughters, Brittany, Courtney, and Adria, and their mother, Laurie, maintained a constant presence during his hospitalizations.
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John Force's family
John Force has a large family, including his four daughters, Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force, Courtney Force, and Adria Hight, as well as his wife, Laurie. Ashley, Brittany, and Courtney are drag racers, and Adria is the CFO of John Force Racing (JFR). Ashley was NHRA's rookie of the year in the funny car division in 2007, but retired from racing in 2011 to raise a family. She has been the president of her father's race-related entertainment division for the last six years. Brittany and Courtney are still driving. Adria is the only child from Force's first marriage and is married to Robert Hight, who won the funny car title for JFR.
Force's daughters have worked to reconnect with their father as adults, with racing being a unifying factor. Courtney, the youngest of the four sisters, said, "Racing has kind of brought us all back together...It is kind of weird. Not being able to see him a lot as a kid and now I get to see more than enough of him as an adult. We definitely have a closer relationship now than we did when I was little."
Force himself has acknowledged his past absence as a father, stating, "I failed as a father, miserably...NHRA is a family sport. That's what I love about it. Drag racing took me away from my family and Laurie basically raised them. And I was living on the road...But drag racing, NHRA, brought them all home to me."
Force also has five siblings: Walker, Louie, Tom (now deceased), Cindy Hem, and Dana (Baby Force) Marino. Walker and Louie have worked with John over the years, and Walker is the only sibling currently working at JFR. Dana is a part-time intern journalist with "The Motorsports Report" and resides in Kingman, Arizona. She attends NHRA events and is a realtor by trade.
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Frequently asked questions
No, John Force was discharged from the hospital in July 2024.
John Force was initially treated at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. He was later transferred to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona.
John Force, a drag racing champion and NHRA legend, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a racing crash. The crash occurred at the NHRA national event in Virginia on June 23, 2024.
John Force spent varying levels of intensive care, including 15 days at the VCU Medical Center. He experienced cognitive and behavioral symptoms from the TBI and had periods of confusion. However, he was able to converse with family and staff and celebrate with his daughter.
John Force continues his recovery through outpatient care in California. He works with therapists specializing in traumatic brain injuries and undergoes outpatient speech, occupational, and physical therapy to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues.
