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John Force update: Drag racing legend is improving, faces long recovery

After horrific crash on Sunday, Force has been moved from the trauma intensive care unit to the neuro intensive care unit, welcome news for the family

Funny Car driver John Force sits in his hot rod in the staging lanes prior to the third round of qualifying at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Funny Car driver John Force sits in his hot rod in the staging lanes prior to the third round of qualifying at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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UPDATED:

On Thursday morning, John Force Racing issued a statement updating the condition of legendary drag racer John Force, who was in a fiery crash on Sunday (June 23).

According to the statement, Force, who is 75, has moved from the trauma intensive care unit to the neuro intensive care unit, “where the medical team can focus on his head injury which is their primary concern.”

From the statement, “The move was a welcome positive for family members who have maintained a daily presence at the hospital all week.”

RELATED UPDATE, SUNDAY, JUNE 30:

John Force showing daily signs of improvement, but remains in ICU

Force, who is from Bell Gardens, and whose racing company is based in Yorba Linda, was injured at the NHRA event in Virginia. He was talkative with rescue workers before being taken to a Virginia hospital by helicopter.

During the first round of Funny Car eliminations, Force’s car had a catastrophic engine failure at the finish line, with the vehicle going across the center line and striking the left concrete guard wall, then careening back across into the right wall.

John Force’s daughter, Brittany Force is not planning to compete this week at the scheduled NHRA event in Norwalk, Ohio. Austin Prock will compete for the John Force Racing organization.

“The Force family are 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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