Legendary drag racer John Force was released from Barrow Neurological Institute almost a month after suffering a terrifying injury in a Funny Cars race at the Virginia Nationals. The 16-time Funny Car champion, now 74, was involved in a high-speed incident that involved an engine explosion that sent his vehicle hurtling at nearly 300 miles per hour and a spectacular crash with concrete barriers.
The group has released a statement verifying:
Drag racing champion John Force was released from Barrow Neurological Institute on Tuesday, one month after an engine explosion sent his race car hurtling towards a concrete guardwall at Virginia Motorsports Park at over 300 miles per hour while he recovered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
“The 16-time Funny Car Champion will still see therapists who specialise in these kinds of injuries, but now he will see them in California on an outpatient basis, according to family members.
“‘He finally gets to sleep in his own bed,’ said Ashley Hood, the driver and car owner’s daughter, whose mother Laurie, sisters Brittany, Courtney, and Adria, and she all kept a close eye on him during his hospital stays 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.”
Force was airlifted for specialised care after suffering severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and a cracked sternum, which required prompt attention from the on-site medical personnel.
Brittany Force posted about her father’s move from the hospital to their house on social media.
“Goodbye, Phoenix! My dad is finally returning home after thirty days, where we will resume our outpatient therapy. The upcoming phases of recuperation will undoubtedly involve the entire family! Here are a few photos from our trip to Phoenix.”
Force is considered a drag racing giant due to his illustrious career, which included a record 157 NHRA event wins between 1990 and 2013.
His racing squad continues to be a rock during this trying period. A teammate named Austin Prock recently attributed his triumph in Virginia to Force, demonstrating the strength of their friendship. According to Prock, cited by Mirror:
“[John Force] will get the prize directly from the hospital. Seeing someone you truly care about go through that is difficult, but I have faith that he will return. Like drivers of race cars, we have to throw off the switch. John wanted us to be out here making rounds, and I’m happy we carried out his instructions.”
In order to address persistent short-term memory and cognitive difficulties, Force’s rehabilitation will now move into an outpatient phase. This is just one more step in the legend’s journey to regaining his full potential.