Drag Racing Icon According to a statement from his race team, John Force opened his eyes for the first time on Friday since his high-speed incident at the NHRA Virginia Nationals last weekend.
Last Wednesday, Force, a 16-time NHRA champion, was admitted to a Richmond-area hospital’s neuro critical care unit after failing to respond consistently to doctors’ commands. Following five days of therapy for a Traumatic Brain Injury, Force was finally able to speak his name and offer a thumbs up sign when prompted, according to a statement made by John Force Racing on Sunday.
Along with daily signs of improvement, family members say Force has also shown signs of agitation and confusion, having to be restrained on several occasions when he attempted to get out of bed.
“Despite the welcomed progress, the 157-time tour winner still faces a long and difficult recovery ahead and for the immediate future, will remain in neuro intensive care with visitation restricted to immediate family members only,” the team’s statement read.
Force, 75, won his heat race on June 23 at Virginia Motorsports Park with a 302 mph lap, but his engine exploded in a tremendous explosion immediately after crossing the finish line. The automobile crashed into both side walls, but Force managed to flee the flaming wreckage.
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