One month after sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a high-speed incident at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in late June, legendary drag racer John Force is returning home.
John Force Racing declared that Force “finally gets to sleep in his own bed” following his release from the neurological rehabilitation facility in Phoenix, Arizona, to which he had been moved earlier this month for treatment of behavioral and cognitive issues resulting from his traumatic brain injury.
“Goodbye, Phoenix! My dad is finally returning home after 30 days, where we will continue our outpatient therapy,” his daughter Brittany Force, an NHRA Funny Car driver, posted on Instagram on Tuesday. “These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort!”
The following stage of John Force’s treatment, according to his team, entails “outpatient speech, and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues.”
16-time NHRA champion Force was hurt in a fiery collision at Virginia Motorsports Park on June 23. After winning his heat with a run of 302 mph, his Funny Car’s engine blew, sending it flying into a concrete wall. Though he managed to escape the debris, he was not unharmed. Force was taken to a hospital in Virginia after suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a cracked sternum, among other injuries. He stayed there for 15 days before being sent to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.
In the last month, the Hall of Famer has advanced a great deal. Force’s team earlier declared that he can “converse” with people and that he has “regained his equilibrium,” which enables him to walk with support. Even with the encouraging indicators, Courtney Force, his daughter, stated that her father still has “a long road to recovery.”
“I’m now able to say goodbye to dad and Phoenix & Barrow Rehab! Courtney Force posted a series of pictures of her father in Phoenix on Twitter, one of which showed him with a cast on his right arm. She said, “Thank you to all the wonderful nurses & doctors.” “One month has passed since his injury, and he is now formally beginning outpatient treatment at home! We’re all still incredibly proud of him, even though he still has a long way to go before fully recovering.”
John Force’s illustrious racing career began in 1978 and has resulted in 157 victories in Funny Car races. After 11 of the 20 events this season, he is presently ranked sixth in the NHRA Funny Car standings for 2024.
