RICHMOND, Va. — According to a statement released by John Force Racing officials on Sunday morning, 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force is showing daily signs of improvement following his violent crash on June 23 at Virginia Motorsports Park.
The statement confirmed Force was “heavily sedated” the last five days while his family has maintained a presence at the trauma hospital.
“Early in the treatment process of his Traumatic Brain Injury, he failed to follow the series of commands to open his eyes, squeeze the hands of his care providers and move his extremities,” the statement read. “Occasionally, he was able to respond with slight movements, but it wasn’t until he moved from trauma intensive care unit to neuro intensive care unit on Wednesday that he began to gain some momentum.”
Force opened his eyes for the first time on the fifth day, according to the release and became “more consistent” with responding to commands.
“Following days of failed attempts, his wife (Laurie Force) and daughters (Adria, Ashley, Courtney and Brittany Force) were overcome with emotion when he murmured his name, ‘John Force,’ and later when prompted, gave a thumbs up.”
The statement noted that managing the 75-year-old’s “extreme agitation and confusion” has been a challenge, “which causes him significant distress.”
Force has “repeatedly tried to get out of bed and has been restrained,” the statement said, with his doctors humorously describing him as a “raging bull.”
Get well soon, 🐐🙏 @RonCapps28 | @JFR_Racing | @JohnForce_FC pic.twitter.com/zkm3ZN9Qf3
— Ron Capps Motorsports (@TeamRonCapps) June 29, 2024
The spirits of his family has been lifted throughout the process, however, when Force recognized his daughters, wife, Laurie, and called them each by name and spoke the words, “I love you.”
Despite the welcomed progress, the 157-time tour winner still faces a “long and difficult” recovery ahead, according to the release. In the immediate future, Force will remain in neuro intensive care with visitation restricted to immediate family members.
Brittany Force elected to not compete at this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, to support her father.
Austin Prock, the current NHRA Funny Car points leader, heads into Sunday’s eliminations as the No. 1 qualifier. Prock has won the last two Funny Car races, including last week in Virginia.
Support for Force and his family has flooded the track in Norwalk, as banners have been seen in Force’s pit and around the race track.
Every competitor at the track is sporting “Get Well Soon, Champ” stickers on their race cars as well.