Drag racing icon John Force has been transferred to a new intensive care unit following a terrifying accident where his car exploded at the end of a race in Virginia last weekend.
During the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park on Sunday, Force’s car burst into flames after a 300mph crash, causing him to collide with a wall. The 75-year-old had just clocked a 306.62mph win over Terry Haddock when his PEAK Chevy Camaro’s engine exploded.
Force, a 157-time NHRA winner, managed to exit the car and was alert, speaking with Safety Safari workers before being taken to a Richmond-area hospital for further evaluation. John Force Racing released a statement on Monday night stating that Force remained hospitalized as doctors cautiously assessed the extent of his injuries due to the severe impact.
A few days later, it was announced that Force had been moved from the trauma intensive care unit to the neuro intensive care unit to focus on treating his head injury, which is now the primary concern.
The statement from his team noted: “The move [to a neuro ICU] was a welcome positive for his family members, who have maintained a daily presence at the hospital all week.” It also expressed gratitude for the medical professionals caring for Force and for the numerous messages of prayer, support, and concern. The family and John Force Racing team requested privacy during this time.
Force’s daughter, Brittany, a two-time world champion, stayed by his side in the hospital along with her mother, Laurie, and three sisters. In solidarity with her father, Brittany will not compete in the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, where she was scheduled to drive the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster.
During the initial incident, Force was examined by the NHRA Medical Team at the track before being airlifted to the trauma hospital. His car experienced catastrophic engine failure at the finish line, causing it to cross the centerline, hit the left concrete guard wall, and then veer into the right wall.
Just three weeks ago, Force secured his record 157th NHRA victory and second win of the season in New Hampshire. He previously suffered serious injuries in a 2007 racing crash in Ennis, Texas, at the age of 58.
