John Force has huge crash in qualifying

[wzuber]

Surprised his one hasn't come up. This was the first chassis Jonnie Lindburg built and it saved Doug's life.

Wild crash. Cockpit cage did it's job very well. Amazing he can extricate himself and walk away so casually.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Amazing he only burned his hands and was able to get out after going through the guardrails. I remember watching that race live and just caught a glimpse of the fireball before the Sky Sports broadcast cut away for several minutes while they determined he was OK.

The senna crash was tragic as well

 

[monkeyswrench]

On another site I read that he’s got a pretty good head injury and is in a Medically induced coma to control it.
Whether that’s accurate or not who knows.
Would make sense given the G Forces he was subjected to as well as the lack of updates on his condition.
Let keep him in our prayers.

I know it's very common for people to be placed in a medically induced coma as they wait for swelling in the brain and spine to subside. Common, yes, but still a scary think for the families.

He's strong, and so are the family members.

 

[RVRKID]

Hope John is back on the track soon, love to see him at the races

Dan Wheldons wreck in Vegas was a bad one also:

 

[farmo83]

I know it's very common for people to be placed in a medically induced coma as they wait for swelling in the brain and spine to subside. Common, yes, but still a scary think for the families.

He's strong, and so are the family members.

The few medical professionals I know of have all said keeping someone in a medically induced coma is not good as they normally wake up "not all there" etc.

 

[Tom Slick]

There has not been any word given to anyone about John's condition...Period. Anything being said is just rumor and nothing else. The biggest names in the sport know as much as the public right now.

 

[monkeyswrench]

The few medical professionals I know of have all said keeping someone in a medically induced coma is not good as they normally wake up "not all there" etc.

I believe it is good for some applications, but I'm not a doctor. A few years back we had a kid (son of a local fireman) get hit in the crosswalk. It was a very bad scene. They kept him "under" for a week. He had some cognitive issues that cleared up, and probably faster than his other physical injuries. He's 16 now, and appears to be doing well. Truly amazing.

In my own scenario, the neurologist made the decision not to do so based on respiratory concerns (damaged lungs). He worried that depressed respiratory function may not have been able to be supported, and long term intubation was also not an option because of the lung issues.

I'm glad nurses and doctors know what they are doing. They see some ugly things, and can still function as if it's just another day. Whatever the case with John, I know they are doing their best. I also know he's not one to back down, and sometimes being stubborn is a really good thing.

 

[havasuhusker]

Most people are not the same after a TBI - at 75 yrs of age, if he survives (which I hope he does), that trip down the strip could very well be his last. I feel for his family.

 

[Brian]

There has not been any word given to anyone about John's condition...Period. Anything being said is just rumor and nothing else. The biggest names in the sport know as much as the public right now.

The fact that his condition isn't being shared is definitely concerning. Hopefully it's nothing serious, but if it wasn't I feel like there would of been a detailed update by now. Just wait and see at this point. At least he's not dead.

 

[rrrr]

What's with posting fatal racing accident videos? It's fucking ghoulish.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

What's with posting fatal racing accident videos? It's fucking ghoulish.

It is part of the racing risk that a fatal outcome is possible. If the intention is too gain monetarily from a horrible incident such as a fatality then I would agree that it would be ghoulish. But we should not ban videos showing the possible outcome of taking high risks. We can always learn from watching these videos.

 

[SoCalDave]

John signing my RDP hat a couple of years ago.

 

[rrrr]

It is part of the racing risk that a fatal outcome is possible. If the intention is too gain monetarily from a horrible incident such as a fatality then I would agree that it would be ghoulish. But we should not ban videos showing the possible outcome of taking high risks. We can always learn from watching these videos.

I don't like seeing videos of Dan's death. He was a good person, and left Susie and children to mourn. The decision to run 33 cars on the 1½ mile LVMS was fucking stupid and it cost Dan his life.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

I don't like seeing videos of Dan's death. He was a good person, and left Susie and children to mourn. The decision to run 33 cars on the 1½ mile LVMS was fucking stupid and it cost Dan his life.

I agree very for sad for Dans death. But I just learned from you why that tragic death happened, and it was from running to many cars on that track. As hard as that video is to watch it helped me understand why it occurred with your knowledge.

 

[Runs2rch]

John signing my RDP hat a couple of years ago.

View attachment 1393429

He's pissed about that black hat, black marker combo. He sat at a booth with us for a Ford deal. He was kind of a dick.

 

[playdeep]

He's pissed about that black hat, black marker combo. He sat at a booth with us for a Ford deal. He was kind of a dick.

Your last name Pedregon by chance...?

 

[MonkeyButt70]

He's pissed about that black hat, black marker combo. He sat at a booth with us for a Ford deal. He was kind of a dick.

I knew Force from the 90s, He was nothing but a great guy from my view. I worked for Mooneyham building his blowers. John and Austin would hang at the shop. John was no different than his post race interviews. Great times!

 

[boatpi]

I saw the latest update on John online. They’re keeping him in ICU for continued tests.

 

[4Waters]

I saw the latest update on John online. They’re keeping him in ICU for continued tests.

Somethings not right

 

[napanutt]

Somethings not right

Does appear that way.

 

[oldboatsrule]

In this case.. I'm a believer of "No news is good news"

 

[FCT]

Somethings not right

Coming from the racing industry and anytime it was a secret on somebody’s condition. It’s usually always because it was bad. Definitely worried for him and his family just because of the silence. I hope I’m wrong but I’ve been around this shit for a long time and that’s usually always what it is.

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

I knew Force from the 90s, He was nothing but a great guy from my view. I worked for Mooneyham building his blowers. John and Austin would hang at the shop. John was no different than his post race interviews. Great times!

World of wheels after party in the 90's drank beers with him =he is a character! Head to the bar and order two beers at a time lol!

 

[farmo83]

This reminds me of Scotty Lumbert the old spirit of texas TFH driver. Had a bad crash at Marble Falls, long time medical coma and woke up not all there.

 

[92562]

When I read this, it put a knot in my stomach.

 

[rrrr]

It appears that Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, the hospital where Force has been admitted, has a robust and competent Neurological ICU. That's encouraging, he is receiving the best possible treatment, and it's fortunate the Richmond facility has those capabilities.

The implications of the above team announcement have increased my concern for John.

About the VCU Medical Center NSICU:

Neurocritical care is a branch of Neurology and Neurosurgery that deals with life-threatening diseases of the nervous system, which are those that involve the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

VCU Medical Center’s Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) is state-of-the-art and the largest in the state of Virginia, equipped with 20 beds dedicated to providing outstanding neurocritical care service for a variety of challenging conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Every patient in the Neuroscience ICU is managed by a highly trained, specialized, multidisciplinary team that provides a collaborative effort between neurointensivists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiologists, pharmacists, critical care nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionist, rehabilitation therapists and social workers who all work together to achieve coordinated care for the critically ill patient.

Patients in the NSICU are co-managed by board certified NSICU attending-physicians and the attending physicians and residents of the admitting service- the Department of Neurology and the Department of Neurosurgery.

The NSICU boasts 4 attending physician neurointensivists (Departments of Neurology, Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine), who provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with an additional as needed resource intensivist who is in-house every night. Neurosurgeons and Neurologists are available to admit patients at any time. Resident physicians from the Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Anesthesiology work round the clock to foster an environment of safety and recovery

The NSICU is an essential component of VCU comprehensive stroke center. The first and only comprehensive stroke center in Virginia.

The Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit has received the Beacon Award for critical care excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses in 2010 and forward.

Conditions treated by our specialists include the following:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding strokes)
Ischemic strokes (strokes from clots)
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury
Brain Tumors
Difficult to treat seizures / Status Epilepticus
Infections of the central nervous system (Meningitis / Encephalitis)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Myasthenia Gravis
Post-Operative Neurosurgical patients
Any critical care needs for neurology and neurosurgery patients.

 

[Tom Slick]

While we wait for more news about John's health, here is an uplifting and cool video of drag racer Julie Nataas getting her TF license at Virginia on Monday:

 

[92562]

While we wait for more news about John's health, here is an uplifting and cool video of drag racer Julie Nataas getting her TF license at Virginia on Monday:

She was so fun to follow last year when she won the championship. Great to see new blood in the sport that is also humble (and easy on the eyes!)

 

[Brian]

This reminds me of Scotty Lumbert the old spirit of texas TFH driver. Had a bad crash at Marble Falls, long time medical coma and woke up not all there.

I don't think John is in the same state that Scotty was/is.

 

[thmterry]

I wonder if John doesn't come out of this 100% will NHRA put an age limit on top fuel drivers? Lets be honest in a sport that you going over 300mph in less then 4 seconds the brain and body can't afford to be 1/100th of a second slow on reaction to a problem. I remember a couple seasons ago Del Worsham was complaining about Johns driving, saying he shouldn't be on the track. Does seem like John has been driving better this season though.


I believe John Force is the best thing to ever happen for the NHRA and it will be a sad day when he isn't at the track for every race. Get well soon John!!!

 

[boatpi]

UPDATE:

John Force Is Recovering From Head Injury, Faces 'Long Road Ahead' Following Drag Race Crash

Force's championship-winning daughter Brittany will take this weekend off from racing to stay with her father in the hospital.

autos.yahoo.com

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

Drag racing legend John Force has a head injury and has been moved to a neurological ICU four days after crashing during a race in Virginia.

www.wishtv.com

John Force improving, remains hospitalized after Virginia crash

Four days after his fiery crash at more than 300mph in his Chevy Camaro Funny Car during the first round of eliminations for the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, drag racing legend …

racer.com

 

[rrrr]

UPDATE:

John Force improving, remains hospitalized after Virginia crash

Four days after his fiery crash at more than 300mph in his Chevy Camaro Funny Car during the first round of eliminations for the Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, drag racing legend …

racer.com

It's disingenuous of Racer to claim Force is "improving."

He's been moved from trauma ICU to neurological ICU. The head injury is much more concerning than the reported broken bones.

From their story:

There, the medical team will focus on his head injury which is their primary concern, according to a statement released by his John Force Racing team.

We don't need fluff. Honest reporting is important.

 

[monkeyswrench]

There are multiple was to look at it. Though none of them are "uplifting", some are better than others. The move to neurology may seem horrid, but at least that means he was stable enough to move. Most of those that have been around impacts like this, assumed he probably suffered some sort of brain injury. The extent of that injury is not public knowledge. A brain bleed has various degrees of damage and effect, how many 65-75 year olds survive strokes these days? Not just survive, but recover.

Instead of assuming the worst, try to think of the best. He's obviously hurting pretty bad, and so is his family. Positive energy, thoughts and prayers may mean nothing, but surely can't hurt either.

 

[92562]

I wonder if John doesn't come out of this 100% will NHRA put an age limit on top fuel drivers? Lets be honest in a sport that you going over 300mph in less then 4 seconds the brain and body can't afford to be 1/100th of a second slow on reaction to a problem. I remember a couple seasons ago Del Worsham was complaining about Johns driving, saying he shouldn't be on the track. Does seem like John has been driving better this season though.


I believe John Force is the best thing to ever happen for the NHRA and it will be a sad day when he isn't at the track for every race. Get well soon John!!!

It isn't age, it's ability. At my age (much younger than John) I am comfortable wheeling an 8 second car down the track. I do not have the ability or the balls to do what he does. His ability to control a car on that day was not in question. Hell, Karamesines was wheeling a Top Fuel car at 85! It is ability, not age and every licensed driver pays attention to the ones they "worry" about like when Troy Jr. tried top fuel and the class said, No!

 

[Clank123]

I’ve been praying for John, his family and Team since the accident.
I believe in my heart that he is undergoing the best care for injuries and am hoping he comes out the backdoor with full recovery.
Always respected his talent as well as his drive to be the best, which without a doubt he is.

 

[Clank123]

Came across this on another website.
I was never a fan of hers when she was racing.
As racers we all have to make a choice on the safety equipment we wear.
I KNOW mine saved my life and will debate it passionately if asked …but to comment on John’s choice of helmet as he remains in intensive care?
Totally out of line!

 

[was thatguy]

The worst one I ever saw was either Indy or F1 at some road track. The car spears the Armco barrier and bursts into flames. I swear it was a good couple of minutes at least before you even see the driver trying to extricate himself while everything is still on fire. He manages to get out.

I think he bought a lot of lotto tickets after he got out of the care center.

Sounds like you’re talking about Romain Grosjean’s F1 crash.
Not a single person watching thought he was alive.
Then after over a minute or whatever he comes up out of there like a fucking miracle.
I don’t know about any lotto ticket, but he did announce his retirement shortly thereafter…

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Came across this on another website.
I was never a fan of hers when she was racing.
As racers we all have to make a choice on the safety equipment we wear.
I KNOW mine saved my life and will debate it passionately if asked …but to comment on John’s choice of helmet as he remains in intensive care?
Totally out of line!
View attachment 1394613

Never been a fan of her!

 

[bilz]

Must be getting a check

 

[playdeep]

Came across this on another website.
I was never a fan of hers when she was racing.
As racers we all have to make a choice on the safety equipment we wear.
I KNOW mine saved my life and will debate it passionately if asked …but to comment on John’s choice of helmet as he remains in intensive care?
Totally out of line!
View attachment 1394613

X2...I saw that and thought wtf?
Ever since she went full bull dych she's been wierd.
When I raced I had a Simpson carbon fiber helmet as did the vast majority of people I raced with.
I always felt Simpson products were superior to Bell.

 

[rrrr]

Came across this on another website.
I was never a fan of hers when she was racing.
As racers we all have to make a choice on the safety equipment we wear.
I KNOW mine saved my life and will debate it passionately if asked …but to comment on John’s choice of helmet as he remains in intensive care?
Totally out of line!
View attachment 1394613

Holy shit.

What a classless and cruel thing to say. My respect for Muldowney is gone.

 

[HotRod82]

Came across this on another website.
I was never a fan of hers when she was racing.
As racers we all have to make a choice on the safety equipment we wear.
I KNOW mine saved my life and will debate it passionately if asked …but to comment on John’s choice of helmet as he remains in intensive care?
Totally out of line!
View attachment 1394613

Ridiculous statement from Shirley..... Head injury doesn't automatically mean blow to the head.....there are a million variables in an accident of this nature.

Really bummed about John, met him once 20ish years ago at a sponsor shin dig. I was getting free product from a particular sponsor and he was getting millions from the same sponsor. He actually took the time to explain to me and a few others how to win sponsors over. Hope he fully recovers.

 

[mash on it]

Met John at the Salty Dawg in Orange about 2012
Austin Coil and the whole crew was there. Del and Robert height too.

Hope recovery is swift.

Dan'l

 

[was thatguy]

Last year at Phoenix Shirley scolded me for setting my beer down on her table so I could pay her $40 for 2 autographed pics.
I held my tongue but it was difficult.
She’s been on my bad side since the 1980 Gators when she caused a fight between grumpy and Connie and kicked us all out of her trailer.
For the record she doesn’t know me from Adam, it was all circumstantial…still it painted a picture that has never changed.

 

[Cobalt232]

Sounds like you’re talking about Romain Grosjean’s F1 crash.
Not a single person watching thought he was alive.
Then after over a minute or whatever he comes up out of there like a fucking miracle.
I don’t know about any lotto ticket, but he did announce his retirement shortly thereafter…

Grosjean moved to the Indycar series where he still races.

 

[rrrr]

Grosjean moved to the Indycar series where he still races.

Grosjean mostly crashes and runs into other drivers. The last time he won a race was in the 2011 GP2 Series, a now defunct feeder for F3.

 

[Orange Juice]

Came across this on another website.
I was never a fan of hers when she was racing.
As racers we all have to make a choice on the safety equipment we wear.
I KNOW mine saved my life and will debate it passionately if asked …but to comment on John’s choice of helmet as he remains in intensive care?
Totally out of line!
View attachment 1394613

Interesting statement. Obviously she is not a fan of Simpson safety products.

Do you think she has inside information on the helmet failure issue? I'm assuming Simpson has an issue with their helmet?

“NHTSA has recalled all Simpson Shorty Over The Wall helmets made since March 1, 2017. Test samples failed penetration tests. Retention systems also failed.”

John Force joins forces with Simpson to Save Lives - Dragzine

Simpson Performance Products and John Force Racing have reached an agreement naming Simpson as the official safety gear for John Force Racing, beginning with the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle season. The partnership between the two companies will further the safety initiatives undertaken by The Eric...

www.dragzine.com

 

[rrrr]

Interesting statement. Obviously she is not a fan of Simpson safety products.

Do you think she has inside information on the helmet failure issue? I'm assuming Simpson has an issue with their helmet?

“NHTSA has recalled all Simpson Shorty Over The Wall helmets made since March 1, 2017. Test samples failed penetration tests. Retention systems also failed.”

John Force joins forces with Simpson to Save Lives - Dragzine

Simpson Performance Products and John Force Racing have reached an agreement naming Simpson as the official safety gear for John Force Racing, beginning with the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle season. The partnership between the two companies will further the safety initiatives undertaken by The Eric...

www.dragzine.com

She doesn't know shit.

That over the wall helmet has no relationship to a racing helmet designed to meet Snell, DOT, and SFI 31.1 impact and fire resistance ratings. It's the same helmet IndyCar and NASCAR pit lane officials wear.

There's no such thing as a helmet failure in a crash that exceeds the energy transference rating of the helmet. They can absorb and protect against impacts, but only to the certification limits. The impact load can vary due to the concentration of force, i.e. spread over the helmet surface or a localized force like a sharp object.

I believe, and this is based on experience and study during my racing days, that the impact John absorbed would have exceeded the capabilities of the helmet to mitigate the forces involved. Indycar drivers have used custom radio earpiece inserts fitted with miniature three axis accelerometers which measure g force impact loads for over 20 years, so that information is correlated with the overall violence of a crash. When there's a "bad one," the doctors know exactly what the driver experienced.

I assume those earpieces are common across major motorsports, but don't know for sure.

 

[Orange Juice]

She doesn't know shit.

That over the wall helmet has no relationship to a racing helmet designed to meet Snell, DOT, and SFI 31.1 impact and fire resistance ratings. It's the same helmet IndyCar and NASCAR pit lane officials wear.

There's no such thing as a helmet failure in a crash that exceeds the energy transference rating of the helmet. They can absorb and protect against impacts, but only to the certification limits. The impact load can vary due to the concentration of force, i.e. spread over the helmet surface or a localized force like a sharp object.

I believe, and this is based on experience and study during my racing days, that the impact John absorbed would have exceeded the capabilities of the helmet to mitigate the forces involved. Indycar drivers have used custom radio earpiece inserts fitted with miniature three axis accelerometers which measure g force impact loads for over 20 years, so that information is correlated with the overall violence of a crash. When there's a "bad one," the doctors know exactly what the driver experienced.

I assume those earpieces are common across major motorsports, but don't know for sure.

Obviously the helmet failed its job, and Simpson has had issues with rushing their products to market without fulling testing all their features. This was a race helmet built for force. It failed its job. How hard is to test a chin strap?

How much of Simpson does Force own? It’s all about the money now. They are protecting the company stock price.

I think what Shirley did was not allow Simpson to cover this up.

Their entire safety program is a disaster. It all started with the chutes, and then the entire system failed. That’s pretty messed up.

Waiting to see Holly’s response.

 

[Don65]

John Force Moving Forward in Recovery Process | Drag Illustrated

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...

dragillustrated.com

Another update on john, showing signs of improvement