SAD NEWS: Another NHRA drag racing Legend suffers a career-ending injury
NHRA drag racing is fantastic. Four days after colliding at 300 mph during a race in Virginia, John Force sustained a brain injury and was sent to a neurological intensive care unit.
NHRA drag racing is fantastic. Four days after a horrific, 300 mph incident at the Virginia Nationals, John Force had a brain injury and was transferred from a trauma intensive care unit to a neurological ICU.
John Force Racing stated on Thursday that the move for the 75-year-old Force was a “welcome positive for his family members.” According to the statement, Force was improving but still had a long road to recovery.
During the first round of Funny Car eliminations on Sunday, Force’s car had a catastrophic engine failure at the finish line, sending it across the centerline and smashing into the left concrete guard wall before careening back across into the right.
Force was alert and speaking with safety personnel shortly after hitting at 302 mph. The NHRA medical team checked the Hall of Fame owner and driver on the track before transporting him to a hospital via helicopter.
Force, 58, was severely injured in a racing accident in Ennis, Texas, in 2007. Force has continued to race at the highest level; three weeks ago in New Hampshire, he won his record 157th NHRA event and second this season.
The Force family commended medical workers for their treatment of John. They also expressed gratitude for the “heartfelt” offers of support from friends and fans following Force’s accident.
Brittany Force, Force’s daughter and a two-time world champion, was in the hospital with her mother Laurie and three sisters. She will not compete this weekend in Norwalk, Ohio, since she is staying with her family at the hospital.
