Drag racing legend John Force is heading home a month after sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a high-speed crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in late June.
John Force Racing announced that Force is “finally getting to sleep in his own bed” following his discharge from Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. He was transferred there earlier this month for treatment of cognitive and behavioral symptoms related to his TBI.
“Peace out Phoenix! After 30 days, my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy,” his daughter and fellow NHRA Funny Car driver Brittany Force posted on Instagram Tuesday. “The next steps in his recovery will definitely be a family effort!”
According to Force’s team, his recovery will now involve “outpatient speech therapy and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address ongoing short-term memory and cognitive issues.”
The 16-time NHRA champion was injured in a dramatic crash on June 23 at Virginia Motorsports Park. After winning his heat with a 302 mph run, his engine exploded, causing his Funny Car to slam into a concrete wall at high speed. Although he managed to escape the wreckage, he sustained a TBI, a fractured sternum, and other injuries. Force was airlifted to a Virginia hospital where he spent 15 days before being transferred to the neurological rehabilitation center in Phoenix.
