Courtney Force suffered no broken bones in Seattle crash

NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force has escaped serious injury after a crash in the first round eliminations at the Pacific Raceways in Seattle on Sunday.

The 28-year-old was racing Jeff Diehl when she lost control halfway down the drag strip, veering hard into the left-side retaining wall. Force was able to climb out of her John Force Racing car under her own power but was evidently in pain, and she was taken to the Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington.

Fortunately for Force, she was diagnosed with no broken bones although she says she is “banged up” and is she will see a sports orthopedist in Lake Tahoe due to a contusion after contact with the steering wheel. Fellow Funny Car racer Alexis DeJoria had suffered a similar incident just one week ago in Sonoma, in which she suffered a fractured pelvis.

In a team statement, Force said: “I am beat up pretty good. My arm, my shoulder, and my right knee are banged up. I am really thankful that the second I got out of the race car there was already a Safety Safari person right there to help me get down. I couldn’t put any weight on my right knee. I want to say thanks to everyone that was at the track who helped me. I got right to the ER and the doctor checked me out. I am extremely relieved nothing is broken.

“I have to thank everyone at Simpson Racing and their Stilo helmet for protecting me. To hit a concrete guard wall and move it two feet and not break any bones is a testament to their equipment and NHRA safety requirements.

“I definitely feel bad we ruined the body and the chassis. Luckily we have some time and can get the car fixed up and my own body fixed up. I am looking forward to getting back as fast as I can. I want to thank all the fans for all their support.”

Force’s husband, Verizon IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal, took to Twitter to express his relief:

Force aims to be back at the next event - the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota - in two weeks time.