Blog: “John Force is our Dale Earnhardt.”
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Sep 28, 2007
John Force Racing
John Force’s terrifying crash at the Texas Motorplex on Sunday dominated the story of the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series O’Reilly Fall Nationals, and with good reason.
Greg Anderson, the Pro Stock champion, summed it up best for the sport while awaiting word on Force’s condition after helicopter transport to the hospital.
“John Force,” a somber Anderson said after mechanical woes sidelined him in the Pro Stock finals, “is our Dale Earnhardt.”
He’s that important to drag racing. Force is the face and voice of the sport. Louis Brewster, SBSun
Force has been undergoing physical therapy to rehabilitate a broken left ankle and deeply lacerated knee.
“John’s doing great for all that he went through,” Dave Densmore, public relations director of John Force Racing said. “He told me that anytime he’d ever hit the wall before his neck was sore for weeks, and his neck is not sore at all after this accident where he got thrown around quite a bit.” Shawn Courchesne, Courant.com
“Don’t count me out,’’ Force said. “I made the chase (the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship). I worked too hard to get back and I ain’t going to let this hold me up.
“If I can be at Richmond, I have to defend the points, and I plan on being there.’’
Force already has crew chiefs Austin Coil and Bernie Fedderly specially equipping the cockpit of his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang so he can drive with his injuries.
He’s also started lobbying doctors to clear him to race.
“I met with four different doctors — one didn’t understand me, the other three did,’’ Force said. “They understood that I need to show up.
“I’ve had a taste of bad luck, so I’m going to get some good luck.’’ Rick Peterson, CJOnline
“He’s been a real treat to deal with, as you might imagine. He complains and grouses when he’s going through the exercises they need him to do, and then he spends about twice as long apologizing to everyone. It’s quite an ordeal. The good news is he’s progressing nicely.”
Force is still hoping he’ll be able to return to action for the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals Oct. 5-7 in Richmond, Va. but Densmore doesn’t expect that to happen. Densmore also said thoughts of Force leaving the hospital by Friday may have been premature.
“The medical staff is thinking Monday before they’ll allow him to fly home,” Densmore said. “That’s just to fly in a plane. I doubt he’ll drive again this year, but every time I tell him that he throws me out of his room.” Shawn Courchesne, Courant.com
