John Force crash

[padam]

John always seemed like the Everyman racer. I haven’t followed big time racing since the 90’s, but he always had the dirty burnt up fire suit. So pumped up after every run just like I thought you would be.

Definitely one of my heroes. I hope he recovers ok.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

One of the best if not the GOAT of all time drag racers

he'll be back mid 70's or not, he's not a quiter
he's been thru way worse too

Remember the years he spent chasing his first win? After he got one the rest seemed to come easier... Well maybe not, how many engines did he blow up during the 91 season?

If he comes back he might want that stove pipe chimney back in the car....

 

[64BEL]

Remember the years he spent chasing his first win? After he got one the rest seemed to come easier... Well maybe not, how many engines did he blow up during the 91 season?

If he comes back he might want that stove pipe chimney back in the car....

I do remember him always coming up short for his first win. Then, as you said, the flood gates opened up. Getting Austin Coil had A LOT to do with that.

 

[kiwigtx]

With family standing vigil beside John, and tucked up in ICU....the situation must be extremely serious.

Going by what I saw in the news today (the language used in the article), he is lucky to be alive, and will likely be a long time recovering.

 

[hdwrench]

a very nasty crash , hard hit . my prayers are with john force , one of the best !

 

[Budnicks]

AA/FC bodies haven't looked even close to the body they are supposed to represent in years.
They are all the same...save for some decals.

a couple have some aero advantages, like the smaller cockpit/body section
swoopy-er or squared off design like Taska's Ford lot of down force
(Like JFRs used to have when they used Fords)
the OEMs make the carbon fiber bodies for them,
as corporate sponsors = costs at $50k+ + each,
before all the
reinforcement trees/tubing mounts, blow out panels, tethers & tin/titanium tubing
the Chevy 'Camaro' & Toyota 'Supra' (2023-2024)
are the most aero advantage of the 4 newer cars/bodies
look at the rear wings (very lil' rear wing usually used/or needed)
like 1st or second settings = less drag
& frontal/spoiler area wider lip, they have great frontal downforce
even before the front spoiler

From what I was told, & I've seen
the Dodge Charger Hellcat is an older style carbon fiber plug,
like 2020 (IIRC)
narrower in the rear than Chevys & Toyotas too
(supposed to cut thru the air better ?)
has a lil' bigger/wider cockpit/bubble/windows section too,
& supposedly needs more rear wing too,
to do the same #s of downforce
& that can slow them down some

If you were look at Matt Hagan's 'TSR's
Direct Connection Dodge SRT/Redeye/Widebody Charger Hellcat
the times ETs & MPH you wouldn't think so though...

 

[Basket case]

Prayers for John.

 

[khryslerkid]

"The latest release, some 24 hours after the accident, admits he is in ICU, and his four daughters and wife are present at the hospital. Sources near the team say his condition is very guarded and speculate the injuries could be severe. The doctors are purposely moving slowly on revealing the extent of the injuries due to the severity of the impact, nor will they reveal a treatment and recovery assessment."

https://www.motortrend.com/news/leg...n-fight-for-his-life-after-devastating-crash/

 

[toolmanmike]

Here's a report from today: 6/27/24

John Force is "improving," according to a team release that said the 16-time NHRA drag racing champion was moved from a trauma intensive care unit to a neuro intensive care unit so his medical team can focus on his head injury.

"The move was a welcome positive for his family members, who have maintained a daily presence at the hospital all week," according to a John Force Racing statement Thursday afternoon.


Top Fuel driver Brittany Force will skip the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, to remain at the hospital with family supporting her father. Austin Prock will compete in Funny Car for JFR this weekend.

"The Force family is grateful for the team of medical professionals who are caring for John, and for the overwhelming number of heartfelt messages of prayer, support, and concern. Thank you for continuing to respect the privacy of the family and John Force Racing team members," the statement said.

It was the first update on Force's condition since late Monday night.

Force, 75, was injured Sunday during a fiery crash at Virginia Motorsports Park in the NHRA Virginia Nationals. He was described as alert and conscious when he was extricated from the wreck and transported to a Virginia hospital.

 

[Cojohnso1]

It's looking recovery will be a long road. Head injury.

All the best thoughts and prayers.

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nhra/a61441611/john-force-suffered-head-injury-in-crash/

 

[multimopes]

Not sure if this is an Update:

NHRA legend John Force moved to neurological intensive care after fiery crash​

 

[ocdart]

This morning I found the following from Jenna Fryer posted to 'X'...
[Sorry, I couldn't 'cut-and-paste' the article to here so I copied it word for word]

Force Moving Forward in Recovery Process
Hall of Famer Makes Progress, There's Still a Long Road Ahead

Richmond, VA (June 30, 2024) - After five tense days during which he was heavily sedated while battling the effects of injuries suffered in the 300 mile-per-hour crash of his drag racing Funny Car, 16-time NHRA World Champion John Force has begun to show daily signs of improvement, according to family members who have maintained a presence at the trauma hospital to which he was transported by air ambulance on Sunday.

Early in the process treatment of his Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), he failed to follow the series of commands to open his eyes, squeeze the hands of his care providers and move his extremities. Occasionally, he was able to respond with slight movements, but it wasn't until he was moved from trauma intensive care unit to neuro intensive care unit on Wednesday that he began to gain some momentum.

He became more consistent in responding to commands and finally opened his eyes on day five. Following days of failed attempts, his wife and daughters were overcome with emotion when he murmured his name, 'John Force,' and later when prompted gave a thumbs up.
The biggest challenge has been managing his extreme agitation and confusion, which causes him significant distress. He has repeatedly tried to get out of bed and has been restrained; his doctors have humorously described him as a raging bull. However, he recognized his daughters, wife, Laurie, and called them each by name. And spoke the words, "I love you." This, along with continued daily progress has uplifter their spirits.

Brittany opted out of the cockpit of the Cornwell Tools Top Fuel dragster at this week's 17th Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio, to remain with family in support of her dad.

Despite the welcomed progress, the 157-time tour winner still faces a long and difficult recovery ahead and in the immediate future, will remain in neuro intensive care with visitation restricted to immediate family members only.

John's family members extend their deepest gratitude to the medical specialists responsible for his well-being and recovery. They deeply appreciate the overwhelming number of heartfelt messages, prayers, support, and concern from the entire automotive and racing industries. Thank you to sponsors, fans, and the media for respecting the privacy of the Force family and the John Force Racing team members.

 

[khryslerkid]

UPDATE: John Force out of intensive care; continuing to progress​

UPDATE: John Force out of intensive care; continuing to progress

If he's had one too many concussions he won't be allowed to race anymore.

 

[padam]

At some point that cat is going to use up his 9th life.

Watching that crash I would think he must feel lucky to be alive.

But he’s a different breed for sure.

 

[#41]

That's really good news. Thanks for posting these updates.

 

[toolmanmike]

I just saw this on Facebook


Blast from the Past Drag Racing | Thank you everyone for your ongoing prayers for my dad after his accident

Brittany forceBlast from the Past Drag Racing​

Top contributor
· toednporSsiflah19tm5cfg8fl0611um5lf7gc2f78l95816l75htmm73h36 ·

Thank you everyone for your ongoing prayers for my dad after his accident in Richmond . My family and I have seen the outcome of uplifting words and support over the last few weeks and we are so appreciative of you all. It truly mean so much to us. My dad had some great progress here in virginia, but he still has a long road ahead. The next step is getting him moved to a rehabilitation centre. We are so blessed to be part of these amazing racing community, no one is tougher than my dad and I know it will be everyone support that help him get through these next steps in his recovery.
Thank you everyone!

 

[toolmanmike]

Here's another update.

 

[padam]

That’s good news, but sounds like a long road just to get healthy again.

 

[Budnicks]

Here's another update. View attachment 1691245

Good news & sad news all in the same...

Get well soon John, we miss you...

I wonder what's the deal with Robert too,
him stepping back for health reasons, too
I never did read/hear exactly what it was...
I hope he can come back too, class act...

 

[khryslerkid]

I heard they were tying the body's down on the FC so they don't blow off and end up in the stands or elsewhere. I noticed his body didn't blow off when it exploded. More than likely why he took most of the impact. Just sidelining here.