Almost a month after suffering a horrific injury in a Funny Cars competition at the Virginia Nationals, drag racing great John Force was released from Barrow Neurological Institute. The 16-time Funny Car champion was 74 years old when he was involved in a high-speed collision caused by an engine explosion that sent his vehicle hurtling at over 300 miles per hour and striking concrete barriers in a dramatic manner.
The team has released a statement confirming:
Drag racing champion John Force was released from Barrow Neurological Institute on Tuesday after he was receiving treatment for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at Virginia Motorsports Park, where an engine explosion sent his race car crashing into a concrete guardwall at over 300 miles per hour.
“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.
Ashley Hood, whose mother, Laurie, and sisters Brittany, Courtney, and Adria were there for the Hall of Fame driver and car owner during his hospital stays in Virginia and Arizona, said, “He finally gets to sleep in his own bed.”
“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.”
Force suffered multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and a fractured sternum, necessitating immediate intervention from the on-site medical team before airlifting him for specialized care.
Brittany Force shared her father’s transition from hospital to home on social media, writing:
“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.”
Force suffered multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and a fractured sternum, necessitating immediate intervention from the on-site medical team before airlifting him for specialized care.
Brittany Force shared her father’s transition from hospital to home on social media, writing:
“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.”
Force is regarded as one of the titans of drag racing thanks to his legendary career, which included a record 157 NHRA event victories between 1990 and 2013.
His racing crew continues to be a rock of support during this trying period. A recent triumph in Virginia was dedicated to Force by teammate Austin Prock, demonstrating the strength of their friendship. Mirror cited Prock as saying:
“[The trophy] is go directly to John Force’s hospital. I know he will return, but it’s difficult to watch someone go through that, especially if they’re someone you truly care about. We have to flick the switch because we drive race cars. I’m happy we’re out here making rounds because I know John wants us to.
The next phase of Force’s recovery will involve outpatient speech and occupational and physical therapy to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues, continuing the legend’s fight to regain his full capabilities.
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