NHRA legend John Force moved from neuro intensive care, healing from traumatic brain injury will be ‘long and difficult’

DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — NHRA legend John Force has been moved from the neuro-intensive care unit as he continues the “long and difficult” road to recovery following a catastrophic crash at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

According to a July 5 update posted to X by John Force Racing, Force has been moved to the acute neuro care unit to continue treatment of injuries he sustained during the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals on June 23.

That day, the engine of Force’s Funny Car exploded at the finish line, sending him into a concrete guard wall at over 300 miles per hour. The car hit the other guard wall, as well, before coming to a stop. Force was immediately taken to the hospital via air ambulance.

Force suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as a fractured sternum and an injury to his right wrist. The first of those remains the primary concern of his doctors and is what prompted his stay in the neuro-intensive care unit for a number of days.

His move to the neuro acute care unit is welcomed by his family, according to this most recent update, but Force’s healing journey remains “a long and difficult one.”

“Although Force is still dealing with cognitive and behavioral symptoms from his TBI, the fact that the Hall of Fame driver can converse with medical staff, family members and John Force Racing president Robert Hight, who flew in this week, is an encouraging sign,” the update reads. “However, there have also been periods of confusion, which doctors say require time and patience to treat.”

In the earliest days of his treatment , Force struggled to open his eyes, squeeze a person’s hands or move his extremities. Now, as of July 5, Force is walking around with assistance.

“According to family, the next step for the man whose career has spanned six decades likely will be a move to a long-term facility specializing in TBI and associated symptoms,” the update reads. “A time frame for that move has not yet been determined.”

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