In the high-stakes world of professional auto racing, it’s easy to focus solely on the on-track action and overlook the emotional toll the sport can take on families. American motorsport has seen numerous iconic family names, with two of the most notable being the Rahals in IndyCar and the Forces in drag racing. These two dynasties became intertwined when veteran IndyCar Series racer Graham Rahal, son of 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, married Courtney Force, daughter of NHRA legend John Force.
Recently, the Force family faced a significant ordeal when John Force, a 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a catastrophic 300 mph crash at Virginia Motorsports Park on June 23. The accident left him with a broken sternum and a right wrist injury. After being airlifted to the hospital, Force spent several days under heavy sedation in intensive care before being moved to an acute neuro care unit. Following 15 days in the hospital, Force was transferred to a neurological rehab center. According to a statement from his team, he continues to experience “cognitive and behavioral symptoms” from his injury and, although he is now conversing with staff and family, he remains prone to periods of confusion.
The dangers of racing are well-known to drivers. Graham Rahal, a six-time IndyCar race winner, was deeply affected by the loss of his former teammate Justin Wilson, who was killed by debris in a crash at Pocono in 2015. Rahal, who has two children with Courtney, spoke candidly about the impact of Force’s crash on their extended family. He revealed that he watched the crash live on TV while his wife was napping and immediately woke her up to inform her of the situation.
The crash was particularly terrifying as Force’s car exploded in flames after completing a 302 mph run, crashing into concrete barriers. John Force, who began his storied racing career in 1978, has won 157 Funny Car events and is a 22-time champion car owner. Graham Rahal reflected on the numerous crashes he has witnessed in NHRA, including those involving Courtney and Brittany Force, but noted that this crash felt different.
The family’s immediate concern was getting clarity on Force’s condition, which took about a day and a half. Rahal emphasized the harsh reality of racing, acknowledging the dangers while focusing on supporting his family. He shared the emotional impact of losing close friends like Justin Wilson and Dan Wheldon, and the mental challenges he faced in continuing to race after such tragedies.
Graham’s demanding IndyCar schedule added to the complexity of the situation. With races in Iowa, Mid-Ohio, and Toronto, he had little time to spend with his wife and children. Courtney remained at her father’s bedside, requiring a lot of family coordination over the summer. Despite the challenges, Rahal expressed optimism about John Force’s recovery, crediting the support of Dr. Vargas, IndyCar’s neurosurgeon, for providing valuable assistance.
The road ahead for John Force is long, but his gradual improvement offers hope. The family’s resilience and teamwork have been crucial in navigating this difficult period, and they continue to support each other through the recovery process.
