|
Force has a compound fracture of his left ankle, a lacerated right knee, a dislocated left wrist and abrasions on two fingers on his right hand. He had screws inserted into his ankle and temporary pins placed in his wrist, said David Densmore, a spokesman for John Force Racing.
Force's prognosis is "very good" after six hours of surgery Sunday following the most severe accident he's experienced in more than three decades of racing, Densmore said.
"I just feel so helpless and vulnerable," Force said in comments released by Densmore. "I have had some burns, but I have gotten out of every crash and never had a scratch. I have never had a broken bone, so this is all new to me."
With the help of physical therapists, Force was able to stand Monday with his weight on his right leg and move both his feet, although doing so was painful.
"I gnawed off some fingers and toes when they had me trying to stand," he said.
Densmore said Force will miss the rest of the NHRA season, which has three scheduled dates remaining in Richmond, Va., Las Vegas and Pomona, Calif. Force is fourth in the Funny Car standings.
Force, a 14-time champion, wrecked Sunday while racing Funny Car rival Kenny Bernstein. A video of the accident shows Bernstein's car drifting toward Force's lane and striking a foam timing block, which shot into the back of Force's car. Force swerved across Bernstein's lane into the retaining wall. Bernstein then rammed into Force's car, breaking the chassis in two.
The NHRA is investigating the accident, NHRA spokesman Anthony Vestal said. Several laboratories will examine parts of the tires and broken chassis.
"The car pulled in half, and I have never seen that ever," Force said.
Force said he remembers how the crash began and how it ended, with emergency crews pulling him out of the broken remains of his car. But he recalls nothing in between.
[to top of second column]
 |
Force also absolved Bernstein of any fault in the crash.
"He is a good friend and a great competitor and he did nothing wrong," Force said. "In fact, he did a great driving job."
Force, 58, was airlifted to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, where he underwent surgery. He was alert and conscious following the accident, and a CT scan came back negative for internal injuries, team spokesman Elon Werner said.
Daughter Ashley Force, also a Funny Car driver, pulled out of the semifinals. John Force, who won his race with Bernstein, could have met her in the finals for the first time had both won, Densmore said.
"I am sure that he will be somewhat depressed when he realizes his circumstances," Densmore said. "He had just driven his way into contention for another championship."
Force's wife, Laurie; Ashley; and son-in-law Robert Hight -- also a Funny Car driver
-- were with him at the hospital. Force's other three daughters were in California, Densmore said.
Force and his four daughters are the subjects of a reality TV show on A&E called "Driving Force." Three of his daughters are drivers and one is an executive in John Force Racing.
Force has had at least one other serious accident in his career, Densmore said. An accident in Memphis, Tenn., in 1992 left Force with second-degree burns on his face and hands.
[Associated Press;
by Jeff Carlton]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
|
