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STORY BILLY KLEINSPEHN  IMAGES NHRA PHOTO

 

Since 1986 the Texas Motorplex has been the host to many incredible moments in Drag Racing from many historical moments that have made the sport stand still.

But the all concrete racing surface has also been the host to some of the most spectacular and hair raising wild rides in the sports history.

In this edition of Pick 5 we are taking a look back at five wild rides that occurred at the Texas Motorplex.

NUMBER 5

Steve Torrence 2017

In 2017 Steve Torrence was enjoying his best season in Top Fuel with several wins including the US Nationals and was in the title hunt as the tour headed to Dallas.

However his title hopes took a major hit in second round of Eliminations when he would suffer an incredible crash against Richie Crampton. 

Torrence would walk away unhurt and would return for the semi finals in a backup car but would suffer a major engine explosion in a losing effort.

NUMBER 4

John Force And Cruz Pedregon 1992

The 92 NHRA season was one of the greatest in NHRA History with many major moments from Bernsteins first 300mph pass to the debut of the NHRA Jr Dragster league.

By the time the tour rolled into the Motorplex Funny Car stars John Force and Cruz Pedregon were battling out in one of the greatest season battles in Funny Car History.

The highlight of their season long battle was the epic final round in front of a live tv audience which both John and Cruz both smoking the tires in one of the greatest peddle fests which saw John hit the wall at least twice while Cruz would sneak by to win his fifth straight Funny Car win to all but clinch his first Funny Car Championship.

 

NUMBER 3

Mark Oswald 1990

By 1990 Mark Oswald had established himself as one of the best nitro drivers in the sport. The former Top Fuel standout won the NHRA and IHRA and the AHRA Funny titles in 84.

But during the first round of eliminations at the 90 Dallas event against Al Hoffmann, Mark would suffer a major engine explosion in the lights which would send Mark bouncing off both walls in the shutdown area before coming to a stop. Mark would walk away uninjured.

NUMBER 2

John Force And Kenny Bernstein 2007

 

At the 2007 event two of the greatest to ever strap into a Funny Car Kenny Bernstein and John Force would meet up in the second round of Eliminations.

At the finish line Bernstein would cross the center line just as Force would suffer a major tire failure which would cut his car in half with the front half colliding with Bernstein and sending Bernstein into the wall before sliding down the shutdown area coming to rest at the edge of the sandpit.

The drivers compartment with Force still in side would come to rest just past the finish line. Bernstein would walked away unhurt while Force was airlifted from the track with multiple severe injuries but would fully recover and would return the following year.

 

 

NUMBER 1

Bruce Allen And Kenny Korestky 2005

 

The all concrete surface has bit many drivers who got out of the narrow groove at the Motorplex.

During Pro Stock Qualifying on Friday Night at the 2005 Bruce Allen would get out of the groove and would cross into the opposite lane.

With Kenny Korestky only mil a second away the result was one of the most terrifying two car crashes in Drag Racing History as both car would collide at high speed sending them sliding down the wall before coming to a stop.

Although both Bruce and Kenny would be airlifted from the track they both would recover from their injuries.

Also in the historic first feature Eddie Hill ran a 5.06 Et at the GatorNationals that year setting the tone for the first four second pass