John Force out of ICU, continues lengthy recovery

RICHMOND, Va. — The John Force Racing team gave its first health update in five days on July 5, regarding the status of its legendary team owner and driver. Less than two weeks after John Force suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a fractured sternum and a right wrist injury, doctors acknowledged his positive response to treatment. 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. Force was seriously injured following an engine explosion that sent his Funny Car into a concrete guard wall at over 300 miles per hour on June 23 during the NHRA Virginia Nationals in Richmond, Va. The crash sent him into the guard wall at top seed. The car exploded twice and flipped on its side before returning upright. The latest upgrade was welcomed by Force family members who have maintained a presence at the hospital since his arrival, but medical professionals emphasized once again that the journey ahead will be a long and difficult one. According to the statement, "Although Force is still dealing with cognitive and behavioral symptoms from his TBI, the fact that the Hall of Fame driver can converse with medical staff, family members, and John Force Racing 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." The statement also said the 75-year-old grandfather of five 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 timeframe for that move has not yet been determined. Force is the winningest driver in the history of U.S. motorsports, with 157 tour victories that have culminated in him becoming a 16-time world champion. Already the most successful, popular and recognizable driver in the sport, he was again in contention (second place) for another season championship when the crash happened. This wasn't Force's first brush with a serious crash. Known for his candor, Force has often said "I've been on fire from here to Australia." He survived a severe crash at Dallas in 2007, which resulted in life-threatening injuries that saw him hospitalized for more than a month. The recent crash came just ahead of one of the NHRA Summit Nationals in Norwalk. It's one of the favorite stops for Force, who is in six different hall of fames. A portion of the grandstands in Norwalk are named in Force's honor, with a picture of his likeness perched high atop Summit Motorsports Park. Force — who won his 157th career win in late April at Epping, N.H. — won the Summit Nationals in 2014. He gave his Wally trophy to racetrack owner Bill Bader Jr. after the win. Force has been a mainstay at the Norwalk track for decades as one of the marquee draws at the annual Night Under Fire exhibition. Fans were able to sign a huge "Get well soon, John" sign near the pit area during the three-day event from June 28-30. Both John and Brittany Force's cars were also on display despite their absence. Brittany, a two-time Top Fuel champion, skipped the Norwalk races to be with her father at the hospital. The Track Walk on June 30 — where fans get to walk the 1,000 feet of the dragstrip before driver introductions on elimination Sunday at each race — was done with fans walking behind both John and Brittany's cars as they were being towed down the strip. The NHRA is off until the Northwest Nationals in Kent, Wash. near Seattle on July 19.