Current:Home > NewsNHRA legend John Force released from rehab center one month after fiery crash -Elite Financial Minds
NHRA legend John Force released from rehab center one month after fiery crash
View
Date:2025-04-17 19:40:04
Drag racing icon John Force is heading home, one month after he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a high-speed crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in late June.
John Force Racing announced that Force "finally gets to sleep in his own bed" after being discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute, a neurological rehabilitation center in Phoenix, where he was transferred to earlier this month to treat cognitive and behavioral symptoms from his TBI.
"Peace out Phoenix! After 30 days my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy," his daughter, fellow NHRA Funny Car driver Brittany Force, shared in an update on Instagram on Tuesday. "These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort!"
John Force's team said the next phase of his recovery involves "outpatient speech, and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues."
Force, a 16-time NHRA champion, was injured in a fiery crash on June 23 at Virginia Motorsports Park. He had just won his heat with a 302 mph run when his engine exploded, forcing his Funny Car to crash into a concrete wall at high speed. He was able to exit the wreckage, but did not escape without injury. Force suffered a TBI and fractured sternum, among other injuries, and was airlifted to a Virginia hospital, where he remained for 15 days before being transferred to Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.
The Hall of Famer has made tremendous progress in the past month. His team previously announced that Force is able to "converse" with others and has "regained his equilibrium," allowing him to walk with assistance. Despite the positive signs, his daughter Courtney Force said her father still has "a long road to recovery."
"Finally saying bye to Phoenix & Barrow Rehab (with) dad! Thank you to all the wonderful nurses & doctors," Courtney Force wrote on Twitter, alongside several photos of her dad in Phoenix, including one of him wearing a cast on his right arm. "It's been one month since his accident & he's officially starting outpatient care back home! This will still be a long road to recovery for him, but we're all still so proud of him."
John Force has won a total of 157 Funny Car events during his legendary racing career, which began in 1978. He currently ranks fifth in the 2024 NHRA Funny Car standings through 11 of 20 events this season.
Contributing: Steve Gardner
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- $6,500 school vouchers coming to Georgia as bill gets final passage and heads to governor
- Kim Kardashian Reveals Truth About Eyebrow-Raising Internet Rumors
- Minnesota senator wanted late father’s ashes when she broke into stepmother’s home, charges say
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- The Rev. Cecil Williams, who turned San Francisco’s Glide Church into a refuge for many, has died
- FTC sues to block $8.5 billion merger of Coach and Michael Kors owners
- Transgender Louisianans lost their ally in the governor’s seat. Now they’re girding for a fight
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- NFL draft boom-or-bust prospects: Drake Maye among 11 players offering high risk, reward
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Trump to meet with senior Japanese official after court session Tuesday in hush money trial
- A surfing accident left him paralyzed and unable to breathe on his own. A few words from a police officer changed his life.
- Kellie Pickler Returns to Stage for First Performance Since Husband Kyle Jacobs' Death
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Alabama lawmakers advance bill to ensure Biden is on the state’s ballot
- Montana minor league baseball team in dispute with National Park Service over arrowhead logo
- Ex-police officer pleads guilty to punching man in custody about 13 times
Recommendation
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Montana minor league baseball team in dispute with National Park Service over arrowhead logo
Powerball winning numbers for April 22 drawing: Jackpot rises to $129 million
Zendaya Continues to Ace Her Style Game With Head-Turning Outfit Change
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Donald Trump is about to become $1.2 billion richer. Here's why.
Shelter-in-place meant for a single Minnesota block sent through county that includes Minneapolis
The TikTok ban was just passed by the House. Here's what could happen next.