It’s simple to ignore the emotional toll that professional auto racing’s darker side can take on a family off the track in the million-dollar world of racing.
There are several well-known family names in American motorsports, but two of the strongest in recent memory are the Forces in drag racing and the Rahals in IndyCar.
After the 35-year-old son of 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, a veteran of the IndyCar Series, married Courtney Force, the now-retired but incredibly successful drag racing daughter of NHRA great John, the two became one.
The world of the Force family was completely upended on June 23 when John, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion, was involved in a horrific 300 mph fiery crash at Virginia Motorsports Park and sustained a catastrophic brain injury.
The 75-year-old Force was taken to the hospital where he underwent three days of deep sedation in intensive care before being transferred to an acute neuro care unit. Force also sustained injuries to his right hand and a broken sternum.
After spending fifteen days in a Virginian hospital, Force was allowed to depart for a neurological rehabilitation facility. He still deals with the “cognitive and behavioural symptoms” of his injuries, according to a statement from his team. He is now able to communicate with professionals and his family, but he is “still prone to periods of confusion.”
He is still in the facility as of this writing, and no deadline has been established for his rehabilitation.
Racing drivers are aware of the risks associated with their work, of course, and Graham, a six-time winner of IndyCar races, was close to his former teammate Justin Wilson, who died in a Pocono incident in 2015 after being struck by debris.
