Johnathan Walker:NHRA legend John Force released from rehab center one month after fiery crash

Drag racing icon John Force is heading home,Johnathan Walker one month after he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a high-speed crash at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in late June.

John Force Racing announced that Force "finally gets to sleep in his own bed" after being discharged from Barrow Neurological Institute, a neurological rehabilitation center in Phoenix, where he was transferred to earlier this month to treat cognitive and behavioral symptoms from his TBI.

"Peace out Phoenix! After 30 days my dad is finally heading home where we will continue outpatient therapy," his daughter, fellow NHRA Funny Car driver Brittany Force, shared in an update on Instagram on Tuesday. "These next steps to recovery will definitely be a family effort!"

John Force's team said the next phase of his recovery involves "outpatient speech, and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues."

Force, a 16-time NHRA champion, was injured in a fiery crash on June 23 at Virginia Motorsports Park. He had just won his heat with a 302 mph run when his engine exploded, forcing his Funny Car to crash into a concrete wall at high speed. He was able to exit the wreckage, but did not escape without injury. Force suffered a TBI and fractured sternum, among other injuries, and was airlifted to a Virginia hospital, where he remained for 15 days before being transferred to Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

The Hall of Famer has made tremendous progress in the past month. His team previously announced that Force is able to "converse" with others and has "regained his equilibrium," allowing him to walk with assistance. Despite the positive signs, his daughter Courtney Force said her father still has "a long road to recovery."

"Finally saying bye to Phoenix & Barrow Rehab (with) dad! Thank you to all the wonderful nurses & doctors," Courtney Force wrote on Twitter, alongside several photos of her dad in Phoenix, including one of him wearing a cast on his right arm. "It's been one month since his accident & he's officially starting outpatient care back home! This will still be a long road to recovery for him, but we're all still so proud of him."

John Force has won a total of 157 Funny Car events during his legendary racing career, which began in 1978. He currently ranks fifth in the 2024 NHRA Funny Car standings through 11 of 20 events this season. 

Contributing: Steve Gardner