Sounds kinda final for John Forces racing future!

[BamBam2140]

Funny Car legend John Force opens eyes, five days after frightening crash

Sixteen-time NHRA champ John Force shows signs of progress from traumatic brain injury, but doctors warn "long and difficult recovery" still ahead.

www.usatoday.com

What a horrible way to end a legendary career, Not saying it’s his last hurrah but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was

 

[Chili]

Everybody is different and if anybody could return, it would be John. However he started hinting at retirement this year so I would think the accident would be a big factor in his decision if he returns to full health.

 

[BaldyLochs]

Right now I imagine all the Force family cares about is their Father, Husband, Grandfather, etc…. getting better. There is peace and life after racing. John’s contributions and accomplishments in this sport are immeasurable. His legacy has been written. There’s no shame in bowing out for him.

I do pray that he can get back to feeling better and enjoy his family. John Force is at the level where he could never sit in another race car ever again…. but still bring tremendous excitement and performance to drag racing. He has of course amassed an incredible group around him. Right now the racing doesn’t matter; getting out of that bed matters. Those girls need thier Dad. That’s what matters.

 

[BamBam2140]

Right now I imagine all the Force family cares about is their Father, Husband, Grandfather, etc…. getting better. There is peace and life after racing. John’s contributions and accomplishments in this sport are immeasurable. His legacy has been written. There’s no shame in bowing out for him.

I do pray that he can get back to feeling better and enjoy his family. John Force is at the level where he could never sit in another race car ever again…. but still bring tremendous excitement and performance to drag racing. He has of course amassed an incredible group around him. Right now the racing doesn’t matter; getting out of that bed matters. Those girls need thier Dad. That’s what matters.

Very well said, The family is what matters

 

[z28]

you can only survive so many hits to the head and keep your wits. I can imagine what the doctors will say.

 

[ironpony]

What I keep thinking about is

I had a friend that this happened to, the same scenario where he was improving. Then it all stops, it has been three years now with no further improvement. He is in constant rehab, he can not go home because he needs skilled care more than the family can provide.
My other thought is Michael Schumaker, semi functional from what I have read but needs constant care.
Hopefully the tough old man can beat it.

 

[5150 mechanic]

I hope he makes a full recovery. He's the same age as my dad so it's very relatable. He's been one of the constants in this ever so s***** changing world that I can count on being the same,,,,, good ole' John Force. I just hope he gets out of this last scrape and calls it a career.

 

[ZWeinstein]

The news today was encouraging, I was fearful for awhile that if Force pulled through it was going to be a lot like the Michael Schumacher deal. The fact that he recognizes his wife and daughters and that the doctors are having a tough time keeping him in bed at least gives the impression the regular ol' John Force is still with us. Hopefully he continues to improve daily and can live a normal and long life with his family and especially the grandkids.

As far as if John has made his last pass, as many miracles and comebacks he has made I just think this one will be too tough to overcome and I would be shocked that if he does recover fully that he will get a medical clearance to race again. In all honesty, and I dont want to come off the wrong way, but I feel like the only way John was going to leave the cockpit was when his body failed him and his family and doctors told him no more.

 

[Butch]

This is how I'd like John to end his driving career. At Indy or Pomona. Do a 3/4 track burnout, turn around and idle back to the starting line. Get out of the car and hand the keys over to Auston Prock. To me that would be one of the most memorable ways to end a driving career.

 

[aakar]

Just hoping John can return to a healthy life. He has tempted The Monster to many times, time to get away from it, the legend will continue even if he is out of the driver's seat

 

[TSK]

During the broadcast yesterday, someone (Capps or Lohnes?) said the doctors need to be shown the way Force spoke before the wreck, especially after a big win, so they can compare then to now.
Sometimes, when he has gotten really amped up, nobody could understand him.

 

[GumbyWVU]

This is how I'd like John to end his driving career. At Indy or Pomona. Do a 3/4 track burnout, turn around and idle back to the starting line. Get out of the car and hand the keys over to Auston Prock. To me that would be one of the most memorable ways to end a driving career.

I like that and would add it would be cool for Coil to be there too, shake hands with him, then they both walk away.

 

[twostep]

In my opinion his retirement (from driving) was coming soon, anyway. We all remember his emotion-filled track end interview a couple of races ago, standing there with Austin Prock, where John said with a lot of emotion that "this young man is going to be my replacement - and I'm there."

I have a good feeling he'll recover from this, although it will likely take months. That's ok; at least he'll still be on this side of the grass and hopefully still involved in the sport he loves so much.

 

[NITROJUNKIE18]

its a shame it happened with only 3 races to get to 160 wins! he's had one hell of a run though. his records with stand for a LLOONNGGG time, i do think your right though... he probably should retire regardless, he has been at it for so long now its time for family and rest. for sure praying for his full recovery

 

[BaldyLochs]

I would assume they have had a continuation plan in place for a long time. JFR has a large presence in the sport and honestly I’d be shocked if they don’t maintain that. John can still do a whole lot of good things off track, even if he’s no longer driving…… after he gets better…. and if he wants to.

 

[chop]

Force is who brings in the sponsors and if he God forbid not recover to the point of being himself, well.............

 

[DanTheFan]

I don’t think sponsors will be an issue if he doesn’t race. He’s a huge personality and will be there with his team and cars. JFR is a brand now.

 

[chop]

I don’t think sponsors will be an issue if he doesn’t race. He’s a huge personality and will be there with his team and cars. JFR is a brand now.

That's not what I meant. I like many others think his driving days are over with. If he's not himself and read into that what you may, is he still going to be able to bring in sponsors. I'm not by any means saying JFR is over with, just pointing out what could happen.

 

[GumbyWVU]

its a shame it happened with only 3 races to get to 160 wins! he's had one hell of a run though. his records with stand for a LLOONNGGG time, i do think your right though... he probably should retire regardless, he has been at it for so long now its time for family and rest. for sure praying for his full recovery

Felt the same way about WJ just being shy of 100.

 

[twostep]

That's not what I meant. I like many others think his driving days are over with. If he's not himself and read into that what you may, is he still going to be able to bring in sponsors. I'm not by any means saying JFR is over with, just pointing out what could happen.

Even if Force recovers completely, he may see his crash as a sign. TF racer Eddie Hill, after recovering from his disastrous boat wreck that left him with serious injuries, never stepped into a TFH again. After two catastrophic TF engine explosions in 1999 due to metallurgical deficiencies in the blocks, the expense was brutal but that wasn't all of it. Seeing it as a sign from above, "ENOUGH", he quit drag racing altogether.

Can't speak for Force, of course; this latest incident had zero to do with his ability and I'm not the fighter he is. But I'm pretty sure I know how I'd deal with it.