Hailey Tran
NHRA drag racing legend John Force was released from the hospital and moved to outpatient care in California. Force, a 16-time Funny Car Champion, had been undergoing rehabilitation for a traumatic brain injury and other injuries, including a fractured sternum and right wrist injury, sustained in a crash at the Virginia Nationals on June 23. The 75-year-old was discharged from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, and his daughter Ashley Hood expressed relief that he would finally be able to sleep in his own bed. Force will continue to work with therapists specializing in traumatic brain injuries as an outpatient.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John Force |
| Profession | NHRA drag racer |
| Age | 75 |
| Hospital | Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona |
| Date of discharge | 23 July 2024 |
| Reason for hospitalisation | Traumatic brain injury, fractured sternum, and right wrist injury |
| Recovery process | Outpatient speech, occupational and physical therapy |
| Current status | Stable |
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What You'll Learn
John Force's car crash at the Virginia Nationals
On June 23, 2024, NHRA Funny Car legend and 16-time champion John Force suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash during the first round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. The 75-year-old's car exploded past the finish line, causing it to veer into the other lane and crash into a concrete wall at an estimated speed of 302 mph. Force also sustained a fractured sternum and a right wrist injury in the accident.
Force was alert following the crash and was initially examined onsite by the NHRA Medical Team. He was then transported to a local medical facility in Richmond, Virginia, for further evaluation and treatment. The veteran racer spent more than two weeks at the VCU Medical Center before being transferred to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona on July 9 for specialised rehab for his traumatic brain injury.
Force remained in the hospital in Arizona for a month, undergoing rehab and receiving treatment for his injuries. Finally, on July 23, 2024, Force was discharged from the hospital and moved into outpatient care. He returned to California, where he continued his recovery process with the support of his family.
Force's recovery focused on addressing lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues through outpatient speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Despite the seriousness of the accident, Force's family maintained a positive outlook, expressing relief that he was finally able to rest in his own home.
The crash at the Virginia Nationals served as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers in drag racing and the potential for serious accidents, even for experienced and accomplished racers like John Force.
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Force's recovery from a traumatic brain injury
NHRA drag racing legend John Force was released from the hospital and moved to outpatient care in California on July 23, 2024. This came a month after he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other serious injuries in a crash during the first round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Force, a 16-time Funny Car Champion, was discharged from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, where he had been undergoing rehab for his TBI. The 75-year-old racer had been transferred to the facility on July 9, spending two weeks at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, prior to that.
Force's recovery process will continue with outpatient therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues. Family members, including his daughters, Ashley Hood, Brittany, Courtney and Adria, and his partner, Laurie, have been a constant presence during his recovery and will continue to support him through the next phase.
The road to recovery from a TBI can be long and challenging, and it is important to address the physical, cognitive, and behavioural symptoms that can arise. Force's determination to continue racing and his commitment to his recovery, with the support of his family, will be crucial in the months ahead.
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Force's outpatient therapy and road to recovery
John Force, the 75-year-old NHRA drag racing legend, was released from the hospital and moved to outpatient care in California. Force had been undergoing rehabilitation for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) suffered in a crash during the first round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park on June 23, 2024.
The transition to outpatient care marks a significant milestone in Force's recovery journey. As an outpatient, Force will continue to receive specialized therapy and support to address the lingering effects of his TBI. The focus of his outpatient therapy will be on addressing cognitive and behavioural symptoms, as well as any short-term memory and cognitive issues that may persist.
According to statements from his family, Force's outpatient therapy will involve working closely with therapists who specialize in traumatic brain injuries. This marks a new phase in his recovery, allowing him to heal in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by loved ones. Force's daughter, Ashley Hood, expressed her relief, stating, "He finally gets to sleep in his own bed."
Force's road to recovery will undoubtedly be a challenging journey. Even though he has made significant progress since the accident, medical staff has cautioned that he still faces a difficult path ahead. Force's determination and resilience, coupled with the support of his dedicated family and medical team, will be crucial in the coming months.
The outpatient therapy that Force will undergo is designed to help individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries regain their independence and resume their daily activities. This typically involves a comprehensive approach that may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, as well as psychological support. The goal is to help individuals like Force regain their physical and cognitive abilities, improve their quality of life, and reintegrate into their communities.
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John Force's family and their presence
John Force is a prominent figure in the world of drag racing, with an impressive career spanning several decades. He is a 16-time NHRA and one-time AHRA Funny Car champion driver and a 22-time champion car owner. Force is also a family man, and his family has been a constant presence in his life and career.
Force was born to Harold and Betty Ruth Force and grew up with five siblings: Walker, Louie, Tom, Cindy, and Dana (the youngest). He battled childhood polio with the support of his mother and family and went on to pursue a career in racing. Force has four daughters himself: Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force, Courtney Force, and Adria Hight, who is the CFO of Force's racing team, John Force Racing (JFR).
The Force family has been closely involved in John's racing endeavours. His daughters have followed in his footsteps, with Brittany and Courtney also becoming drag racers, and Austin Prock, the son of JFR Crew Chief Jimmy Prock, racing for Force's team. The family has shown their dedication to John during his recovery from a racing accident in June 2024. Ashley, Brittany, Courtney, and their mother, Laurie, maintained a constant presence during his hospitalizations in Virginia and Arizona.
Force's family has been a source of strength and support throughout his career and during challenging times, such as his recent accident and recovery. They have stood by him, offering encouragement and assistance. Force's sister, Dana, for instance, attends NHRA events as a part-time intern journalist, and the wider family attends NHRA National events to cheer on their relatives when the events are nearby. The Force family's presence and support have no doubt contributed to John's success and recovery.
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John Force's career and previous accidents
John Harold Force is an American NHRA drag racer. He is a 16-time NHRA and 1-time AHRA Funny Car champion driver and a 22-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing (JFR). He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 157 career victories.
Force began his NHRA career in 1977. In 1971, he drove his first funny car—the Jack Chrisman-built Night Stalker Mustang. Early in his career, he drove a Corvette and a Monza, then switched to an Oldsmobile Cutlass through the end of the 1993 season. In 2006, he won his 14th NHRA World Funny Car Championship.
Force's career has had several serious accidents. In 2007, he suffered a broken ankle and dislocated wrist, among other injuries, in a crash at the Fall Nationals in Texas, causing him to miss the rest of that season. On June 23, 2024, Force suffered a traumatic brain injury, a fractured sternum and a right wrist injury in a crash during the first round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. His car exploded past the finish line, veering into a concrete wall at an estimated 302 mph. Force spent five days in an induced coma as doctors evaluated his brain injury. He was discharged from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona a month after the accident and moved to outpatient care.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, John Force was released from the hospital and moved into outpatient care on July 23, 2024.
John Force was initially treated at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, before being transferred to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.
John Force, a 75-year-old NHRA drag racing legend, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other injuries in a crash during a race on June 23, 2024.
