NHRA legend John Force released from hospital, goes into outpatient care

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — NHRA legend John Force has been released from the hospital and will go into outpatient care a month after a major crash at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

According to an update from John Force Racing released on Tuesday, July 23, Force has been discharged from the Barrow Neurological Institute, where he was undergoing rehab for a traumatic brain injury sustained in a crash 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 by air ambulance.

In addition to a traumatic brain injury, Force had a fractured sternum and an injury to his right wrist.

Family members said that Force will continue to work with specialized therapists on an outpatient basis in California.

“He finally gets to sleep in his own bed,” said his daughter, Ashley Hood.

John Force Racing said the next phase in his recovery process will be outpatient speech and occupational and physical therapy to address “lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues.”

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