16-time Funny Car champion John Force has announced his return to the NHRA scene in Las Vegas after suffering from brain injuries from a horrific crash in Virginia earlier this year.
June 23: John Force Hospitalized
During the elimination rounds in Virginia, Force suffered a severe crash due to an engine failure while driving his Chevrolet Camaro SS. Traveling at speeds exceeding 300 mph, his car collided with a concrete barrier, resulting in traumatic injuries including a brain injury, fractured sternum, and wrist injuries.
Despite the extent of the impact, Force remained conscious and communicative, expressing appreciation for the support of his family—especially his daughter, Brittany, who was with him during transport to a nearby hospital.
Brittany commented at the time:
"My dad's going to be all right – I was in the ambulance with him, holding his hand. He's one of the toughest people I know, so he'll bounce back like he always does."
June 27: Transition To Neuro ICU
Initially treated in the Trauma ICU, he was soon transitioned to Neuro ICU as specialists focused on his brain injury. The NHRA posted an update at the time, writing:
"Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to John and his family. He is a legend of our sport and universally loved, and it has been incredible to see the tremendous outpouring of support from the racing community during this time.
"From everyone at the NHRA family, we wish John nothing but the best in his ongoing recovery."
July 5: Signs Of Improvement
A brief respite came on July 5 when he showed sufficient improvement to move to acute neurological care.
John Force Racing stated at the time:
"Less than two weeks after drag racing champion John Force suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), among other injuries that included a fractured sternum and a right wrist injury, following an engine explosion that sent his Funny Car into a concrete guard wall at over 300 miles per hour, doctors acknowledged his positive response to treatment. He was moved out of neuro-intensive care and into acute neuro care at the hospital where he was transported by air ambulance on June 23."
July 9: Rehab Center
By July 9, he was transferred to a rehabilitation center. The Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix helped guide him through both cognitive and physical rehabilitation.
John Force Racing commented:
"After spending 15 days in varying levels of intensive care at VCU Medical Center, drag racing champion John Force was released Tuesday in time to board an AirMed ambulance for a three-hour flight to a neurological rehab center at which treatment for the Traumatic Brain Injury he suffered in a June 23 crash will continue."
July 23: Move From Rehab Center To California
Force moved back to California to undergo outpatient therapy. Brittany Force shared the update to social media, posting:
"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."
The update from John Force Racing stated:
"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 undergoing rehab for a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
"According to family members, while the 16-time Funny Car Champion will continue to work with therapists specializing in such injuries, it now will be 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."
October 18: Promising Update Spotted
Forces's daughter, Brittany, shared a 'Day in the Life' reel to Instagram which offered a glimpse into Force's recovery. Her father was seen looking in good spirits as he hugged her on his porch.
October 20: Brittany Force Hints At Return
Whilst speaking to the media, Brittany Force confirmed that they were hoping her father, John, would return to the upcoming NHRA event in Las Vegas. She commented:
"We're pushing for it if he's ready."
October 24: John Force Reveals NHRA Return
In an emotional video posted by John Force Racing, Force confirmed that he was looking to return to the NHRA event in Las Vegas. Although he will not be in the driver's seat, he will be there to support the John Force Racing team. He explained:
"Hi, I'm John Force, 16-time Funny Car champ, and boy am I glad to be here after that crash I had in Richmond, but at the end of the day, I'm going to recover, and I'm getting better already. I was in the hospital for four months.
"I'm still working every day to get my body back in shape, but I got to get my mind back in shape. I took a pretty big hit in that crash at Richmond, so I've been in the hospital there in Richmond. I've been in Phoenix, Arizona, going through rehab, and I'm out here now, and I'm working at it every day.
"This is about what I love the most, and it's racing. It's NHRA. I love my sponsors, and I love all the fans, and I love your letters and all the things that you've written and all your support. You've really been good to me in a hard time.
"I mean, I've had four or five months that I've been laying in hospitals, going through rehab, and I'm going to get better. I'm under doctor's orders. They tell me where I can go. I think they're going to tell me this week that I can go to the Las Vegas race."
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