Because the impact of John Force’s wall-slamming accident at Sunday’s NHRA Virginia Nationals was so massive, the drag-racing icon remained in the intensive care unit at a Virginia trauma hospital Monday.
According to a statement the team released late Monday, doctors are deliberately taking a slow, careful approach to assessing the extent of his injuries from the high-speed racing crash at more than 300 mph.
The engine in Force’s Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car exploded in a massive fireball after Force crossed the finish line during the opening round of eliminations at Virginia Motorsports Park. The violent explosion propelled him into the concrete guardwall in the opposite lane and got slightly airborne as it crossed the track again and slammed into the other wall.
NHRA Safety Safari personnel extracted Force from the car, stabilized him, and helped him onto a gurney and into an ambulance, then on to a medical helicopter that transported him to the hospital.
The statement from the team said, “Attending doctors purposely were moving slowly in assessing the extent of the injuries to the Hall of Fame owner and driver because of the intensity of the impact. Medical staff will not provide a treatment and recovery timetable until a total evaluation is completed.
“Force’s daughter Brittany, a two-time champion, was joined at the hospital by her mother, Laurie, and sisters Adria, Ashley, and Courtney. The family will maintain a presence while the team competes this weekend in Norwalk, Ohio.
“Updates on the 157-time tour winner’s condition will be released at the discretion of the medical staff.”
Brittany Force in her Top Fuel dragster and Virginia Funny Car winner Austin Prock will race this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk.
The team has not announced whether a substitute driver for the 16-time series champion will carry on in a back-up Funny Car.
