Update: NHRA Great John Force Leaves Rehab Facility
The 75-year-old, 16-time Funny Car king will continue outpatient treatment for traumatic brain injury at home.
John Force, the most successful driver in NHRA Drag Racing history, has made significant progress in his recovery journey following a traumatic brain injury sustained during a car explosion and crash on June 23 at Virginia Motorsports Park.
According to a press release from John Force Racing, the 75-year-old Funny Car legend has been released from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, where he was undergoing intensive rehabilitation.
A Force Family Effort
Family members shared that while the 16-time Funny Car Champion will still require therapy for his injuries, this will now be conducted on an outpatient basis in California. “He finally gets to sleep in his own bed,” said daughter Ashley Hood. She, along with her sisters Brittany, Courtney, and Adria, and their mother, Laurie, have been by Force’s side throughout his hospitalizations in Virginia and Arizona.
The Road Ahead for John Force
The next phase of Force’s recovery involves outpatient speech therapy, as well as occupational and physical therapy, to address ongoing short-term memory and cognitive issues. This transition marks a crucial step in his journey towards full recovery.
In a statement shared on social media, John Force Racing confirmed that the racing icon was discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute on Tuesday. Force’s daughter, Brittany Force, a Top Fuel champion, shared photos on Instagram to celebrate her father’s discharge. One image features Force smiling alongside Brittany and Courtney, a fellow NHRA Funny Car race winner.
While John Force’s recovery is ongoing, the latest updates bring a wave of optimism as he continues his journey in a familiar and supportive environment.