Less than two weeks after drag racing icon John Force suffered a severe head injury, along with other injuries including a fractured chest and a wrist injury, in a fiery crash caused by an engine explosion that propelled his Funny Car into a concrete barrier at a speed exceeding 300 mph, doctors have acknowledged his positive response to treatment. The 75-year-old Force has been transferred from intensive neurological care to a specialized neuro care unit at the hospital he was airlifted to on June 23.
The Force family, who have been present at the hospital since the arrival of the 16-time NHRA champion, welcomed this recent development. However, medical professionals have reiterated that the road to recovery will be arduous and lengthy.
Despite still experiencing cognitive and behavioral symptoms resulting from the head injury, Force’s racing team, John Force Racing, emphasized in their latest update that his ability to communicate with medical staff, family members, and team president Robert Hight, who arrived this week, is an encouraging sign. Nevertheless, there have been instances of confusion, which doctors say necessitate time and patience for proper treatment.
Another noteworthy development is that Force has regained enough balance to begin walking with the assistance of medical personnel.
According to his family, the next phase for the veteran racer, whose career has spanned six decades, will likely involve a transfer to a specialized facility that focuses on treating head injuries and their associated symptoms. However, a specific timeline for this move has not yet been determined.
