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NHRA Funny Car legend John Force is continuing to recover from his terrifying crash at Virginia Motorsports Park on June 23. The latest health update indicates that Force is showing signs of improvement but faces a long road to recovery.
The 75-year-old was involved in a fiery crash at over 300 mph and was immediately taken to the trauma intensive care unit at Virginia Hospital. Four days later, he was moved to the neuro intensive care unit, where doctors are focusing on healing his head injury.
The latest update from John Force on June 30 (via Jenna Fryer on X), mentions that he was heavily sedated for five days but has slowly shown improvements. The 75-year-old recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury gained momentum after he was moved to the neuro-intensive care unit.
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Force opened his eyes five days after the accident and was finally able to speak his name and give a thumbs up when prompted by the doctors. The latest statement reads:
"After five tense days during which he was heavily sedated while battling the effects of injuries suffered in the 300 mile-per-hour crash of his drag racing Funny Car, 16-time NHRA World Champion John Force has begun to show daily signs of improvement, according to family members who have maintained a presence at the trauma hospital to which he was transported by air ambulance on Sunday."
"Early in the treatment process of his Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), he failed to follow the series of commands to open his eyes, squeeze the hands of his care providers and move his extremities. Occasionally, he was able to respond with slight movements, but it wasn't until he moved from trauma intensive care unit to neuro intensive care unit on Wednesday that he began to gain some momentum," it reads further.
While John Force has shown signs of improvement, he has also shown extreme agitation and confusion, forcing the doctors to restrain him after he repeatedly attempted to get out of bed. The doctors have humorously described the 75-year-old as a 'raging bull'.
Force has recognized his wife, Laurie, and daughters, uplifting their spirits.
John Force faces a 'long and difficult' road to recovery
Despite the progress over the week, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion faces a lengthy and difficult road to recovery as his immediate future in NHRA remains uncertain.
The statement mentioned that John Force will continue to remain in the neuro-intensive care unit.
"Despite the welcomed progress, the 157-time tour winner still faces a long and difficult recovery ahead and for the immediate future, will remain in neuro-intensive care with visitation restricted to immediate family members only," the statement read.
Force's daughter, Brittany, a two-time NHRA champion, has withdrawn from this weekend's competition at Norwalk, Ohio, and remains by her father's side in the hospital.
