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NHRA legend John Force moved out of neurological intensive care weeks after fiery, 300-mph crash

NHRA drag racing great John Force's team says he has been moved out of neurological intensive care after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a fiery crash.
Credit: AP/Mark Long
John Force talks to crew members after his Funny Car blew an engine and destroyed the body of his dragster, March 16, 2018 at the NHRA Gatornationals.

RICHMOND, Va. — NHRA drag racing great John Force has been moved out of neurological intensive care after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a fiery, 300-mph crash at the Virginia Nationals last month.

The 75-year-old Force has been moved from neurological intensive care into acute neuro care at the hospital where he was transported by air ambulance on June 23, John Force Racing said Friday in a release. He suffered traumatic brain injury and other injuries, including a fractured sternum, in the crash 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 slamming into the left concrete guard wall, then careening back across into the right wall.

The team's statement said Force still has periods of confusion and will likely at some point move to a long-term facility specializing in TBI and associated symptoms. He has been able to speak and to walk with help from medical staff, but the release said “medical professionals emphasized once again that the journey ahead will be a long and difficult one.”

RELATED: NHRA drag racing great John Force has head injury, team says 'long road' to recovery ahead

In 2007, at age 58, Force was seriously injured in a racing crash in Ennis, Texas. He has continued to race at the highest level, earning his second win of the season and record 157th NHRA victory in New Hampshire.

Force’s daughter, Brittany, is a two-time world champion.

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