John force (2 Viewers)

[NitroLuver]

5 Things We Learned in Richmond

Three brutally hot days, hardcore fans, track-record runs, a devastating crash, and history in the making: The PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals had it all as the NHRA returned to Virginia Motorsports Park after a short absence. Here’s our five big takeaways from the race.

www.nhra.com

Hmmm, if there is a fill-in driver, my vote goes to Tommy Johnson JR. He filled in for Matt Hagan and did an EXCELLENT job.

That would be awesome if Johnson could/would do it if needed, or even Beckman.

Prayers to John and family.

 

[sutton]

I saw a picture of him in a hospital bed with a cast on his left arm & leg. Other than that nothing stuck out. I think he was on the phone it looked like.

Are you sure that is not the old picture from the time of the accident with Bernstein
Arm and leg were in a cast
Larry Sutton---

 

[sutton]

I need to check with John too see if he is getting helicopter air miles.
Larry Sutton---

 

[nwspeedshots]

Are you sure that is not the old picture from the time of the accident with Bernstein
Arm and leg were in a cast
Larry Sutton---

Pretty sure that that is indeed the case. That Facebook page appears to be an imposter "Brittany Force" page. And I doubt that JFR would post that photo without issuing an update or press-release.

 

[NitroLuver]

I need to check with John too see if he is getting helicopter air miles.
Larry Sutton---

It was crazy. I was at the race. Seeing the medi-vac chopper come in. I don't know if it was me, I lost track of time or what. But it seemed to be 25-30 minutes before it took off again. This is just an assumption on my part, but he may have been taken to VCU. There are a couple of very good medical facilities in Richmond.

For those that don't know VMP is actually in Dinwiddie VA. About 25 to 30 minutes south of Richmond.

 

[NitroRichFire]

Most likely John was taken to https://www.vcuhealth.org/locations/location-details?id=16 since it is a level 1 trauma center!

 

[mick]

This is the real head scratcher. There are two systems the are supposed to pop the chutes and neither did. Something glitched pretty bad.

if you look close you can see a redish/orange tag visible on left side chute, possibly on rt. side chute too? ...... are those the 'remove before flight' stroud safety tags?

 

[NitroRichFire]

John Force's Catastrophic Crash at Nearly 500 KMH Sees Him Send To Hospital

Drag racing veteran John Force was hospitalized after a crash at an NHRA race meeting in Virginia.

www.newsweek.com

 

[NitroRichFire]

BRITTANY FORCE SAID HER DAD 'WILL BOUNCE BACK, AS HE ALWAYS DOES,' FOLLOWING MASSIVE CRASH AT VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK | Competition Plus

NHRA Funny Car icon John Force was taken to a Richmond-area hospital Sunday afternoon following his fiery, wall-smashing, high-speed crash during the first round of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals. And his daughter, two-time Top Fuel champion Brittany Force, said following her second-round loss...

competitionplus.com

 

[z28]

5 Things We Learned in Richmond

Three brutally hot days, hardcore fans, track-record runs, a devastating crash, and history in the making: The PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals had it all as the NHRA returned to Virginia Motorsports Park after a short absence. Here’s our five big takeaways from the race.

www.nhra.com

Hmmm, if there is a fill-in driver, my vote goes to Tommy Johnson JR. He filled in for Matt Hagan and did an EXCELLENT job.

TJ or Jeff Arend would be my #1 and #2. I'd like to see Courtney come back but doubt she would.

 

[Just Paul]

if you look close you can see a redish/orange tag visible on left side chute, possibly on rt. side chute too? ...... are those the 'remove before flight' stroud safety tags?

There was a rule change within the last couple years that all pilot chutes must be bright colored to contrast with the racing surface/shut down area just in case one becomes detached from the chute so it can be noticed easier. All you are seeing is a neon orange section of pilot chute peeking out.

 

[GumbyWVU]

It was crazy. I was at the race. Seeing the medi-vac chopper come in. I don't know if it was me, I lost track of time or what. But it seemed to be 25-30 minutes before it took off again. This is just an assumption on my part, but he may have been taken to VCU. There are a couple of very good medical facilities in Richmond.

For those that don't know VMP is actually in Dinwiddie VA. About 25 to 30 minutes south of Richmond.

Always unsettling to see that chopper come in. Seems like there was a couple times (at least once I'm sure) in the mid-late 90s at Columbus, during eliminations, someone was evac'd out but I can't remember when or whom.

 

[Slowpoke96z28]

Pretty sure that that is indeed the case. That Facebook page appears to be an imposter "Brittany Force" page. And I doubt that JFR would post that photo without issuing an update or press-release.

F fb. I've reported every Brittany Force page that I come across. She doesn't do fb.

 

[BamBam2140]

I think if John is out for awhile his seat will most likely go to Jordan Vandergriff who was already seen testing one of forces funny cars

 

[Slowpoke96z28]

Always unsettling to see that chopper come in. Seems like there was a couple times (at least once I'm sure) in the mid-late 90s at Columbus, during eliminations, someone was evac'd out but I can't remember when or whom.

Without an N number, hard to say if that wasn't the replacement that was called when the decision was made to evac John. My understanding is the track can't go back hot till another helicopter is there.

 

[Just Paul]

Always unsettling to see that chopper come in. Seems like there was a couple times (at least once I'm sure) in the mid-late 90s at Columbus, during eliminations, someone was evac'd out but I can't remember when or whom.

Ron Dudley 1988 was one.

 

[eatmedic]

Wothout an N number, hard to say if that wasn't the replacement that was called when the decision was made to evac John. My understanding is the track can't go back hot till another helicopter is there.

That's more than likely the scenario. I was talking with the North Memorial crews at BIR a few years ago. They eluded that the pros won't fire unti the helicopter is on the ground.

 

[DanTheFan]

Would like to see Force back soon but I’d be surprised if he could. Is it a given that Hight can’t come back yet?

 

[Slowpoke96z28]

Not getting an update is hugely concerning

I preface this with saying to take this worth a grain of salt, but as a combat aidsman (think the guy that would be under a medic/corpsman), im guessing he was knocked out from the lateral G, and was coming to when the SS was there. That sit up on the gurney is symbolic of a boxer coming to and not realizing the fight is over, or wondering what the heck they're doing laying down in a boxing ring.

The fact they loaded and transported him with no c-collar and visible neck muscle and extremities muscles movement are a GREAT sign imo and what lead me to a knockout.

I'm sure the ICU called a geriatric doc to eval, but understand, this is kind of unprecedented. Afaik, John is the oldest professional athlete alive to experience this type of trauma, so there's no data, no training in medical school, emt school, etc for treating or clearing him with a goal of a return to competition, so I imagine he and the medical team will examine and study everything as a due diligence, and that may mean a couple days. Now if Thursday or Friday comes and we have no info, I'll start being concerned.

 

[Slowpoke96z28]

I wonder if something happened during the explosion that cut the cables to the chutes. Did think it was strange that the chutes didn't deploy. Scary accident.....

My guess is the explosion damaged the parachute system and the safety system. Damage to the air cylinder or damage between the handle(s) and cables. Once the body blew, I doubt John could reach the handles if he was able to even try while trying to steer because they would've been too high. It does look like the left pilot chute was starting to peek out, but idk.