Tag: John Force

Less than two weeks after drag racing legend John Force suffered what has now been revealed to be a traumatic brain injury (TBI), among other injuries that included a fractured sternum and a right wrist injury, in a fiery crash following an engine explosion that sent his Funny Car into a concrete guard wall at over 300 mph, doctors acknowledged his positive response to treatment. The 75-year-old Force was moved out of neuro-intensive care and into acute neuro care at the hospital where he was transported by air ambulance on June 23.

The latest upgrade was welcomed by Force family members who have maintained a presence at the hospital since the 16-time NHRA champion’s arrival, but medical professionals emphasized once again that the journey ahead will be a long and difficult one.

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

Also noteworthy is the fact that Force has regained his equilibrium to the point that he has been able to start walking with the assistance of medical staff members.

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. A time frame for that move has not yet been determined.

John Force is beginning to show daily improvement and respond to commands as he continues to recover from a crash that hospitalized him last weekend in Virginia.

John Force Racing released a new update Sunday morning in which they confirmed he had been heavily sedated from his injuries. Force was moved from the trauma intensive care unit to neuro intensive care unit Wednesday, and doctors continue to treat a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Force “failed to follow the series of commands to open his eyes, squeeze the hands of his care providers and move his extremities” in the days after the crash during which he received early treatment. He was able to “respond with slight movements” but the biggest improvements have come since being moved to the neuro intensive care unit.

“He became more consistent responding to commands and finally opened his eyes on day five,” the update read. “Following days of failed attempts, his wife and daughters were overcome with emotions when he murmured his name, ‘John Force,’ and later when promoted, gave a thumbs up.

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“The biggest challenge has been managing his extreme agitation and confusion, which causes him significant distress. He has repeatedly tried to get out of bed and has been restrained; his doctors have humorously described him as a raging bull. However, he recognized his daughters, wife, Laurie, and called them each by name. And spoke the words, ‘I love you.’ This, along with continued daily progress has uplifted their spirits.”

Force’s family remain with him at the hospital. Brittany Force is not competing this weekend at Norwalk.

The 75-year-old legend was injured in the first round of eliminations at Virginia. After crossing the finish line at 302mph, Force’s engine blew and his car crossed to the left lane and hit the wall. The car then came back across the track, nearly flipped on its right side, before coming back down on its wheels and hitting the wall in the right lane.

The 16-time world champion was alert and responding to the NHRA safety safari after exiting his car. Force was transported to a local hospital where he continues to receive treatment and recover.

“Despite the welcomed progress, the 157-time tour winner still faces a long and difficult recovery ahead and, for the immediate future, will remain in neuro intensive care,” the update continued. “John’s family members extend their deepest gratitude to the medical professionals responsible for his well-being and recovery. They deeply appreciate the overwhelming number of heartfelt messages, prayers, support, and concern from the entire automotive and racing industries.”

The full update can be found on the John Force Racing website.

Four days after his fiery crash at more than 300mph in his Chevy Camaro Funny Car during the first round of eliminations for the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, drag racing legend John Force has moved from the trauma intensive care unit to the neuro intensive care unit. There, the medical team will focus on his head injury which is their primary concern, according to a statement released by his John Force Racing team.

Force had defeated Terry Haddock but the engine blew spectacularly in his Funny Car as he crossed the finish line. The car then crossed the centerline, striking both guard walls before coming to a stop. Force was reported to have been awake and alert when he was examined on-site by the NHRA medical team before being transferred to a nearby hospital. The Force family has maintained a daily presence at the hospital all week, where details of the 75-year-old 16-time champion’s injuries remained undisclosed as doctors worked to evaluate his condition.

With the support of her family, team, and sponsors, daughter Brittany Force is not planning to compete this week at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, where she would have driven the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster. Instead, she will remain at the hospital with her family in solidarity for her father. Austin Prock will compete this weekend for John Force Racing, where his AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS team will carry the torch for the entire organization and sponsors this weekend.

“The Force family is grateful for the team of medical professionals who are caring for John, and for the overwhelming number of heartfelt messages of prayer, support, and concern,” the team statement concluded. “Thank you for continuing to respect the privacy of the family and John Force Racing team members.”

NHRA legend John Force was involved in a serious incident at the conclusion of his first round of eliminations for the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Force had defeated Terry Haddock but the engine blew spectacularly in his Funny Car as he crossed the finish line. The car then crossed the centerline, striking both guard walls before coming to a stop.

According to a statement from the NHRA, the 75-year-old 16-time champion was alert and examined on-site by the NHRA medical team before being transferred to a local medical facility for further evaluation.

Funny Car legend John Force set a new zMAX Dragway track record on Friday, powering to the provisional No. 1 spot at the 14th annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event.

In the final Funny Car quad of the night, Force went an impressive 3.820-seconds at 330.96 mph in his PEAK Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS, setting a track record previously set by teammate Robert Hight last September. If that holds, Force, who won the Winternationals earlier this year in Phoenix, would pick up his 167th career No. 1 qualifier and first in 2024. It’s been a strong season thus far for Force, who looks to pick up his fifth career victory at zMAX Dragway this weekend after making the 10th-quickest run in Funny Car history on Friday.

“It ran .89 the run before and they said they were going to lean on it because conditions were getting better,” Force said. “They leaned on it and ‘Hang on,’ and it ran quicker than they thought. It moved on me and I thought I was going to lose it, but I feel really good about it and we’re looking forward to tomorrow.

“I’m having a lot of fun going down the track. I’m here and I’ve got a bad hot rod right now. Luck is a big part of this game and I’m not done yet.”

Bob Tasca, who won the 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas two weeks ago, is currently second after going 3.849 at 335.32 and Alexis DeJoria went 3.859 at 331.69 to move into third. Ron Capps went 335.40 earlier in the day to set the track speed record.

Two weeks after winning his first career four-wide race, reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta enjoyed a terrific start on Friday in Charlotte, making the quickest run in each session, including a 3.691 at 337.92 in his Mac Tools dragster to close out the evening. The run also puts Kalitta in position to pick up his second straight No. 1 qualifier and 55th in his career, as he continues to ride an impressive wave of momentum. He was the quickest in each round of eliminations in Las Vegas to take the four-wide victory for the first time and Kalitta seemed to pick up right where he left off two weeks ago.

“This is exciting for all my guys. AJ [crew chief Alan Johnson] looked happy, and it’s always good to keep him happy,” Kalitta said. “The guys are working their tails off and it shows. The car left strong and stayed straight. I’ve run this car for a couple of races. This is a new chassis and it drives really nice — right down the middle of the track.”

Antron Brown moved to second with his night run of 3.698 at 332.18 and Billy Torrence’s 3.716 at 329.34 has him third heading into Saturday.

Racing close to the KB Titan Racing team shop, Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson delivered an impressive run to kick off the weekend in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, going 6.500 at 210.90 to take the provisional top spot. It puts the veteran and Pro Stock’s winningest driver in line for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 125th in his fantastic career. The season has started well for Anderson, a 104-time event winner, and he’s currently third in points. After winning the Lucas Oil Winternationals, Anderson and his team wants to keep building as he seeks his first Charlotte 4-Wide victory since 2012.

“Our run in Q1 was great,” Anderson said. “When you get conditions like this where it’s cool, that’s what Pro Stock cars love. You’ve got to come prepared. You can’t be shy. You’ve got to run what you brung and we used everything we brought. The track is great and it held everything.

“Tonight [Q2] we had a computer problem and I’m still not sure what it was. I hope that’s it for the weekend as far as bad luck. I’m shocked that no one was able to get around me. Tomorrow should be good and I figure we’ll have to improve to keep it.”

Cristian Cuadra, who ran as part of a “Cuadra Quad” in the second qualifying session with his brothers, Fernando Jr. and David, and his father, Fernando, is currently second with a 6.507 at 210.18. Aaron Stanfield’s 6.508 at 209.92 puts him third after the first day.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle’s first race back since the season opener in Gainesville, six-time world champ Matt Smith made a strong opening statement on Friday, blistering the track record with a standout run of 6.685 at 201.61 on his Denso Auto Parts Buell. It was a stellar performance at his home track and puts the veteran in line for his first No. 1 qualifier since 2022 and the 53rd in career. If Smith stays on top, it will be the first top qualifier for anyone other than Gaige Herrera since last July as well. It was exactly the type of performance Smith was after on Friday, setting a career-best in the process and making his first career run in the 6.60s.

“We’ve done a lot of testing since Gainesville,” Smith said. “We’ve been to three different tracks four times and made a lot of runs. We gained a lot but it didn’t show today. I was shaking the tire through low gear, so we’re not reaping the benefits of testing. I know there is more there, maybe a 6.66 or 6.65. Gaige went 6.69, so we’re right there with him. If we’re running within two or three hundredths of the fastest bike, we have a shot.

“Tomorrow is the Mission [#2Fast2Tasty] Challenge and we want to get the points and the money. I think we can run faster. This bike is mean.”

Herrera jumped to the second spot under the lights with a run of 6.696 at 201.79 and LE Tonglet grabbed the third position thanks to a run of 6.703 at 200.77.

Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.