NHRA icon John Force out of hospital after crash

Field Level Media|published: 07/23/2024, 8:37pm EDT

Jun 9, 2024; Bristol, TN, USA; NHRA funny car driver John Force during the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NHRA great John Force has been released from the hospital 30 days after a serious accident left him with a traumatic brain injury.

Force, 75, was hospitalized June 23 in Richmond, Va., after the fiery crash at Virginia Nationals. His NHRA funny car sustained a catastrophic engine failure at the finish line and slammed into a concrete guard wall at 302 mph. Force was alert and talking when he was rescued and taken to a local hospital before being heavily sedated.

Two weeks ago, Force was transferred from the Richmond hospital to Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix for rehab.

The 16-time Funny Car champion was discharged Tuesday, his team said in a statement, and he will continue his rehab closer to his home in California.

"The next phase in the recovery process will be outpatient speech, and OTPT (occupational and physical therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues," the statement said.

One of Force's daughters, Brittany Force, posted photos to social media that showed her father smiling and giving up a thumbs-up gesture while surrounded by his family.

"Peace out Phoenix!" Brittany Force wrote. "After 30 days my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy. These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort!"

From Brittany Force on Instagram: "Peace out Phoenix!
After 30 days my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy. These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort! Here's some pics from our time in Phoenix." pic.twitter.com/8eCWppfJrb
— John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) July 23, 2024

Force and his family have dominated the sport of drag racing for decades. Force won 16 NHRA Funny Car championships as a driver and another 22 as a car owner. Daughters Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force and Courtney Force all have competed in NHRA drag racing.

The elder Force has continued to race, and he earned his second victory of 2024 on June 2 at the NHRA New England Nationals.

--Field Level Media