75-year-old John Force conscious and talking after NHRA crash in Virginia

The accident happened in the first round of NHRA Virginia Nationals Funny Car eliminations.

National Hot Rod Association driver John Force is "conscious and talking" following a dramatic crash in Petersburg, Virginia, on Sunday, June 23, according to a post from the John Force Racing account on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The accident happened during the first round of NHRA Virginia Nationals Funny Car eliminations at Virginia Motorsports Park. After the 75-year-old crossed the finish line in 4.100 seconds at a speed of 302.62 mph, securing a victory over Terry Haddock, the engine of his Chevrolet Camaro exploded. His car then crossed the track's center line, collided with the left concrete guard wall, and was subsequently propelled into the right guard wall.

The NHRA medical team assessed him at the track before he was airlifted to a "nearby medical center for further evaluation in the ICU," according to the John Force Racing post on X.

On the evening of Monday, June 24, the account provided an update stating that he was still in the hospital’s ICU on Monday.

“Attending doctors purposely were moving slowly in assessing the extent of the injuries to the Hall of Fame owner and driver because of the intensity of the impact. Medical staff will not provide a treatment and recovery timetable until a total evaluation is completed,” read the statement. 

Additionally, “[Force’s] condition will be released at the discretion of the medical staff.”

His wife, Laurie, and their daughters, Brittany, Adria, Ashley, and Courtney, are at the hospital.