National Hot Rod Association driver John Force is now in the neurological intensive care unit after spending three days in the trauma unit following a nasty crash at the June 23rd NHRA event in Virginia.
The John Force Racing account on X (formerly Twitter) announced Force’s move ua message published on Thursday, June 27.
The move allows the 75-year-old’s medical team to “focus on [Force’s] head injuries, which is their primary concern.”
Force was involved in a fiery crash Sunday during the first round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals Funny Car eliminations at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg. After reaching the finish line with a 302.62 mph victory over Terry Haddock, the engine of his Chevrolet Camaro exploded. Force’s car crossed the center line of the track and hit the left concrete guardrail before being thrown onto the right guardrail.
John, Brittany and Laurie Force 2022.
Jeff Speer/LVMS/Icon Sportswire via Getty
His family’s reaction to the latest treatment development was “positive”. His wife Laurie and daughters Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force, Courtney Force and Adria Hight stayed by his side all week.
“The Force family is grateful for the team of medical professionals caring for John and for the many heartfelt messages of prayer, support and concern. Thank you for continuing to respect the privacy of the family and members of the John Force Racing team,” X said in a statement.
75-year-old NHRA driver John Force alive and ‘alert’ after fiery 300 MPH crash: ‘He’s a tough cookie’
Force was examined by NHRA’s on-track medical team on Sunday and transported by medical helicopter to “a nearby medical center for further evaluation in intensive care,” according to the John Force Racing Sunday post x.
The following evening, June 24, the bill divided in an accompanying statement that he remained in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“Doctors were deliberately slow to assess the extent of the Hall of Famer’s and driver’s injuries due to the intensity of the impact. Medical staff will not provide a treatment and recovery schedule until a full evaluation is complete,” the statement said.
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John Force June 2, 2024
Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty
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After Sunday’s crash, Austin Prock — who won the Funny Car division — said speaking from the winner’s circle that the trophy was “going straight to the hospital for John Force,” according to the Associated Press.
“It’s just hard to see someone go through that, especially when it’s someone you really care about, but I know they’re going to come back. We’re race car drivers and we have to flip a switch. I know John wanted us out there, touring and I’m glad we did our job,” Prock, 28, said.
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Before the accident, Force had his second win of the season and his 157th NHRA victory at the NHRA New England Nationals in New Hampshire.
Brittany withdrew from the Summit Racing Equipment National in Norwalk, Ohio this week to remain in the hospital. Prock will compete again this weekend for the John Force Racing organization.
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Source: HIS Education