NHRA Breaking MPH Barriers

340 Mph falls.

Great Photo Sequence of John Force's NHRA Funny Car Crash

Southern California News Group photographer Will Lester captured a sequence of photos showing Funny Car driver John Force exploding and slamming into Jonnie Lindberg during the quarterfinal round of eliminations Sunday February 25, 2018 at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.

Great shots!

John Force 'OK' After Scary Wreck in Phoenix

John Force has survived many horrific crashes in his Funny Car.

The crash occurred during the quarterfinals of Sunday’s final eliminations in the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in suburban Phoenix.

Force was headed for a win when the engine on his Peak Chevrolet Camaro blew up just as it crossed the finish line, destroying the body. Lindberg, meanwhile, lost traction about one-third of the way down-track, but then got back into the gas to try and catch Force.

Force appeared to lose control of the body-less car and went across from the left lane he was in to the right-hand lane, where he hit the retaining wall in front of Lindberg.

Lindberg tried to avoid Force, but couldn’t. To make matters worse, the body on Lindberg’s car then came off and Force’s and Lindberg’s cars got tangled up in Lindberg’s parachute, sending both chassis’ into the left retaining wall.

Lindberg emerged from his Funny Car under his own power and was checked at the medical center before heading back to his pit.

Force, meanwhile, was helped out of his mangled wreck by the NHRA Safety Safari and was transported by ambulance to the hospital due to the severity of the impact.

Force has been released from the hospital.

Angie Smith Ditches Her Pro Stock Motorcycle After Brakes Fail

Scary times this weeekend for Angie Smith during qualifying at the NHRA event in Norwalk, OH.

Going at a speed of over 188 mph, she loses her brakes and the bike is heading through a patch of grass and for a cornfield.

She can't stop the bike and jumps off before it hits the corn.

Great coverage by ESPN.

Courtney Force Ready for NHRA Pro Funny Car Debut in February

Drag racing is about to get a shot in the arm when a bright young star makes her pro debut in a little over a month.

Courtney Force, the 23-year-old daughter of 15-time NHRA champion John Force, will make her Professional driving debut Feb. 9-12 at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in a Ford Mustang Funny Car sponsored by Traxxas, the world leader in ready-to-run radio-controlled vehicles.

Courtney, who for the last four seasons learned how to deal with all of the off-track aspects of professional racing and has proven herself a skilled interviewee, a reality TV star, a spokesperson for Ford Motor Company’s Driving Skills for Life program, a national marketing contest winner, and a fan favorite, finally will get a chance to show what she can do on the track.

“For Traxxas, Courtney represents more than just a female driver on the track. The family that she comes from has been racing, and she’s been a part of racing all of her life. She’s not just another girl at the racetrack; she’s a girl that has real DNA and John Force DNA embedded in her, and it shows,” said Mike Jenkins, Traxxas president. “Take a couple of minutes and talk with Courtney; you’ll see the competitiveness that comes out in that girl. She’s going to represent our company and our brand. She’s been a top pick for us for a very long time -- we’re proud to have her on.”

Courtney had success in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster class, including winning a national event.  Courtney spent last season testing in a Ford Funny Car after selected NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tour events.

Her crew chiefs will be Ron Douglas and Scott Wible.