John Force Makes First NHRA Appearance Since Traumatic Brain Injury

NHRA Funny Car legend John Force has made a momentous return to the racing community during the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals held at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This appearance marked Force’s first public outing since a devastating crash in June at the Virginia Nationals that left him with a traumatic brain injury.

On November 1, 2024, during the first elimination session of the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals, John Force made his presence known by standing at the starting line alongside his two Funny Cars.

Beginning his NHRA career in 1978, Force has dominated the sport with 157 event wins, making him one of the most successful drivers in history. His career has been marked by not only victories but also severe injuries, notably a serious crash in 2007 that left him fighting to return to competitive racing.

This latest accident on June 23, 2024, was especially challenging, as his car suffered catastrophic engine failure at over 300 mph, resulting in Force colliding with the concrete guard walls. The injuries he sustained – a traumatic brain injury, a fractured sternum, among others – required extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation.

Force’s recovery included an initial 15-day stay at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, before his transfer to the renowned Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, for specialized care. He was discharged in July 2024 and has since been continuing outpatient therapy in California.

His appearance in Las Vegas comes after the driver broke his silence on October 24 with a video updating his fans. He explained:

“Hi, I’m John Force, 16-time Funny Car champ, and boy am I glad to be here after that crash I had in Richmond, but at the end of the day, I’m going to recover, and I’m getting better already. I was in the hospital for four months.

“I’m still working every day to get my body back in shape, but I got to get my mind back in shape. I took a pretty big hit in that crash at Richmond, so I’ve been in the hospital there in Richmond. I’ve been in Phoenix, Arizona, going through rehab, and I’m out here now, and I’m working at it every day.

“This is about what I love the most, and it’s racing. It’s NHRA. I love my sponsors, and I love all the fans, and I love your letters and all the things that you’ve written and all your support. You’ve really been good to me in a hard time.

“I mean, I’ve had four or five months that I’ve been laying in hospitals, going through rehab, and I’m going to get better. I’m under doctor’s orders. They tell me where I can go. I think they’re going to tell me this week that I can go to the Las Vegas race.

“I want to watch Prock driving Robert Hight’s funny car. Brittany’s running for the championship. She’s back in the points, but she’s got a fight ahead of her. Beckman’s doing a great job. I love the guy.

“He’s a great talker, and he’s full of it more than me, trust me. But I left I owed to tell you guys that I’m okay.

“I want to take a minute and thank you. I want to tell you I love you for the cards and the gifts and everything, because you showed me that you cared at a time when I needed help.

“Before I go, I’ve thanked all of you, but I want to take a minute. I want to thank my wife Laurie and all of my daughters, and I want to thank Robert Hight. They were there in Richmond, and they’re the ones that set up everything that I do. Every appointment, they were just trying to get me well. And it was a scary time for them.

“Not for me, I didn’t have a clue where I was at, so we’re gonna be okay. And right now I’m going to what I’m always told to do, I’m going to go back to my office and go to work.”