NHRA Driver Brandon Bernstein Blows Tire, Avoids Bad Crash in Reading

NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driver Brandon Bernstein blows a rear tire during qualifying this weekend in Reading, PA.

He did a great job of keeping his car away from hitting Doug Kalitta who was in the other lane.

David Bays Jet Car Crash at NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy

The NHRA broke out the jet cars for some exhibition races this weekend at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. 

In this video, it's hard to see, but the Friday night qualifications wrap up with two jet cars and the INCENERATOR driven by David Bays on the far side (right lane) looses control at the end of track and goes over wall.

He amazingly walked away from the crash.  I'll update if I get better video of this crash.

I love how these cars warm up.

NHRA Drag Racing Rolls into Brainerd

It's one of the biggest events of the summer in Minnesota. It's the 30th annual National Hot Rod Association Lucas Oil Nationals at the Brainerd International Raceway.

Brainerd is a favorite event of many NHRA drivers and teams.  Fans also love it, they've been camping out for days.  If you've never been to Brainerd for drag racing, you need to go.

More than 100,000 people will fill the bleachers, easily doubling the population of the entire Brainerd Lakes Region and then some. The hotels literally fill up within 60 miles of us to accommodate that number of people and this week's race alone will generate $10 million of revenue for the area.

More than 230 people are hired to work at the event over the weekend, so a lot of people get part-time jobs and they get a chance to watch the races at the same time.  ESPN 2 wil be televison the action on Saturday and Sunday.

The television and media exposure is worth millions alone to the region in exposure alone.

This is the biggest weekend of the year for Brainerd tourism, not to mention the fans. Through Sunday it will be all about fun, especially for the winners.

Mr. Bean Crashes High Performance Car

British media say actor Rowan Atkinson, known for his "Mr. Bean" television shows and films, is recovering in hospital after crashing his supercar.

The 56-year-old comedian, also known for the "Blackadder" historical comedy shows, was expected to be discharged on Friday after treatment for a shoulder injury, the Daily Mirror reported.
Atkinson's spokesman could not immediately be reached.

Police and firefighters both said that a vehicle crashed late Thursday close to Haddon, a village about 85 miles north of London.

The car struck a tree, a lamppost and caught fire, authorities said. Firefighters said the driver was not trapped and he was taken to hospital.

Atkinson, known for his love of fast cars, was driving his McLaren F1 supercar — one of the world's fastest road cars, the newspaper said.

John Force Blows His Top in Qualifying at Denver

NHRA Funny Car driver, John Force blew the body off his funny car during a qualifying run at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals this weekend in Denver.