Yahoo Autos John Force improving, remains hospitalized after Virginia crash
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.”
