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John Force Moved To Neuro ICU As Family Release Sad Message To Fans

The motorsports world is reeling from a recent high-speed incident involving legendary drag racer John Force. During the first round of eliminations at the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsport Park, John Force suffered a harrowing accident. While crossing the finish line in his Chevy Camaro Funny Car, traveling over 300mph, his vehicle’s engine dramatically exploded, causing Force to lose control. The car veered across the centerline, colliding with both guard walls before finally coming to a stop.

Immediately following the crash, Force remained alert and was able to communicate with the on-site National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) medical team. He was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital, where he was first placed in the trauma intensive care unit but later moved to the neuro intensive care unit for specialized treatment for head injuries, as confirmed by his team.

The Force family, anchored at the hospital since the incident, has shown immense solidarity. John’s daughter, Brittany Force, has chosen to skip the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, to stay by her father’s side. She expresses unwavering faith in her father’s resilience, stating:

“My dad’s going to be all right – I was in the ambulance with him, holding his hand. He’s one of the toughest people I know, so he’ll bounce back like he always does. It’s something that’s tough. We know that’s a part of the sport. That’s how this sport goes. I wouldn’t be his daughter if I wasn’t back up here in that car, trying to win this thing with this team for him.”

John Force
John Force, driver of the Castrol GTX HM prepares for his run during qualifying for the 2010 O’Reilly Parts NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway on September 18, 2010 in Concord, North Carolina. Force has been…


Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Reflecting on Force’s condition and spirit, team member Austin Prock, who claimed victory at the event following the crash, said:

“He’s one tough son of a bitch. It’s just tough to see somebody go through that, especially when it’s somebody you really care about, but I know he’ll be back. We’re race car drivers and we have to flip the switch . I know John wanted us to be out here, going rounds, and I’m glad we did our job.”

Prock dedicated his trophy to Force, vowing to deliver it to the hospital as a token of his triumph and solidarity.

John Force is not unaccustomed to adversity. His nearly 50-year career in drag racing is iconic, punctuated by 157 NHRA race wins and surviving multiple severe crashes, including his significant 2007 accident. His enduring presence in the sport extends to his family, with three of his children actively competing and one serving as the chief financial officer of John Force Racing.

The incident has sparked a profound response from the drag racing community, highlighting Force’s legendary status and the collective hope for its speedy recovery. The outpouring of support reiterates the resilience and tight-knit nature of the racing world, reflective of the tenacity that characterizes Force and his team.