NHRA icon John Force upgraded, but still in ICU four days after scary crash

As Funny Car legend John Force remains in intensive care, doctors are focusing their efforts on the head injury he suffered over the weekend in a fiery high-speed crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals.

Force has been moved from the trauma intensive care unit to the neuro intensive care unit, according to NHRA.com – a move seen as a positive step for the 16-time champion and his family.

Daughter Brittany Force, who has remained at the Richmond-area hospital along with other family members since Sunday's crash, has decided not to compete this week at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

John Force Racing will be represented in the Funny Car division by team member Austin Prock, who posted an emotional win last week in Virginia, one he dedicated to Force immediately afterward.

Force, 75, is a 16-time NHRA champion and has won a total of 157 races during his legendary career, which began in 1978. He currently ranks second in the 2024 NHRA Funny Car standings through nine of 21 events.