John Force Moved To Neuro ICU As Family Release Sad Message To Fans

The motorsports world is reeling from a recent high-speed incident involving legendary drag racer John Force. During the first round of eliminations at the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsport Park, John Force suffered a harrowing accident. While crossing the finish line in his Chevy Camaro Funny Car, traveling over 300mph, his vehicle's engine dramatically exploded, causing Force to lose control. The car veered across the centerline, colliding with both guard walls before finally coming to a stop.

Immediately following the crash, Force remained alert and was able to communicate with the on-site National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) medical team. He was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital, where he was first placed in the trauma intensive care unit but later moved to the neuro intensive care unit for specialized treatment for head injuries, as confirmed by his team.

"Four days after his crash at more than 300 miles per hour, drag racing champion John Force has moved from the trauma intensive care unit to the neuro intensive care unit, where the medical team can focus on his head injury which is their primary concern," the update reads.

"The move was a welcome positive for his family members, who have maintained a daily presence at the hospital all week.

"With the unanimous support of her family, team, and sponsors, 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 with the same courageous, fighting spirit that John has embodied and instilled in his teams over the years, and his AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS team will proudly carry the torch for the entire John Force Racing 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. Thank you for continuing to respect the privacy of the family and John Force Racing team members."

The Force family, anchored at the hospital since the incident, has shown immense solidarity. John's daughter, Brittany Force, has chosen to skip the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, to stay by her father's side. She expresses unwavering faith in her father's resilience, stating:

"My dad's going to be all right – I was in the ambulance with him, holding his hand. He's one of the toughest people I know, so he'll bounce back like he always does. It's something that's tough. We know that's a part of the sport. That's how this sport goes. I wouldn't be his daughter if I wasn't back up here in that car, trying to win this thing with this team for him."

Reflecting on Force's condition and spirit, team member Austin Prock, who claimed victory at the event following the crash, said:

"He's one tough son of a bitch. It's just tough to see somebody go through that, especially when it's somebody you really care about, but I know he'll be back. We're race car drivers and we have to flip the switch. I know John wanted us to be out here, going rounds, and I'm glad we did our job."

Prock dedicated his trophy to Force, vowing to deliver it to the hospital as a token of his triumph and solidarity.

John Force is not unaccustomed to adversity. His nearly 50-year career in drag racing is iconic, punctuated by 157 NHRA race wins and surviving multiple severe crashes, including his significant 2007 accident. His enduring presence in the sport extends to his family, with three of his children actively competing and one serving as the chief financial officer of John Force Racing.

The incident has sparked a profound response from the drag racing community, highlighting Force's legendary status and the collective hope for his speedy recovery. The outpouring of support reiterates the resilience and tight-knit nature of the racing world, reflective of the tenacity that characterizes Force and his team.

Breaking: NHRA releases statement as John Force moved to Neuro ICU

Edit: Quote added from John Force Racing.