DRAG RACING ACTION ONLINE

STORY BILLY KLEINSPEHN  IMAGES COURTESY NHRA

After a incredible season the NHRA Tour heads back to Pomona for the NHRA Finals.

Over the years the finals have produced some of the greatest moments in Drag Racing History and everyone wants to go out strong at the last race of the season.

However some drivers make the highlight reels for all the wrong reasons as the NHRA Finals have also been the sight of some of the most wild rides in Drag Racing History.

So strap in and get ready for the ride of your life as we bring you five wild rides from the NHRA Finals.

NUMBER 5

John Force 1992

Throughout the 92 season there was one driver who stole the hightlight reel and that was John Force.

With wild rides in Memphis Dallas and Topeka Force once again made the highlight reel during qualifying at the 92 event when he would smoke the tires and then would flip over on his lid and would come to stop at the finish line. 

Force who was in an intense battle with Cruz Pedregon for the season title would walk away unhurt.

NUMBER 4

Taylor Vetter 2022

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There is a famous saying that is from the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and no driver experienced that saying more then TAD driver Taylor Vetter in 22.

Just as she was approaching the finish line in the TAD final Taylor who was up against multi time National Champion Joey Severance would get lose near the finish line and would unfortunately get on her side and would slide along way before coming to stop in the shutdown area. 

Vetter who would win her first National event win on that pass would walk away unhurt.

NUMBER 3

Del Worsham 2006

If there is one driver who has his share of wild rides it has to be Del Worsham.

The three time Nitro Champion and former Rookie Of The Year would suffer his most wildest ride of his career during Funny Car qualifying at the 06 event.

Just nearing the finish line Worsham would suffer an engine explosion which in return would moved the body out of alignment so he couldn’t reach for the parachutes.

Bumping the wall twice in the shutdown area the car would hit the sand pit and would flip over twice before coming to stop at the end of the sandpit.

Worsham who would suffer a broken tailbone would return to the seat the following day and would go out in round one of eliminations to Gary Densham.

NUMBER 2

Scotty Cannon and Frank Pedregon 2000

Thank you lord that two car crashes in our sport is real rarity.

In 2000 two legendary names in the sports history Scotty Cannon and Frank Pedregon would make the highlight reel during Funny Car qualifying.

As both drivers neared the finish line Predrgon would cross the center line just past the finish line and would unfortunately get into Scotty that would result in a spectacular body flying two car crash.

Dispute the nature of the crash both drivers walked away unhurt.

Honorable Mention

Mike Dunn 1983

If there was one human highlight reel for the 1983 season it would have to be Mike Dunn. 

The second generation racer who suffered a devastating fire and crash at the Spring Nationals earlier that season would top it off at the final World Finals held at OCIR.

During qualifying Dunn would suffer another major engine explosion and would blow the body into pieces. 

The explosion which was so powerful enough to lift the motor onto the fuel take before the car rolled over before coming to stop in the shutdown area.

Dunn who was dazed when he got out of the car was okay.

NUMBER 1

Doug Herbert 1999

When you think of legendary families in the sport one name that comes into mind is the Herbert Family.

With three legendary names Chet Doris and Doug the Herbert family has etched their name in Drag Racing History through High Performance with Chet the Publishing side with Doris and Chet who owned and operated Drag News and of course behind the wheel with Doug.

During qualifying for the 99 event the last NHRA National event of the twentieth century Doug, a four time IHRA Top Fuel Champion would suffer one of the most iconic starting line explosions in the sports history with the concussion so severe that parts struck some 14 people but thankfully no one was injured.

The explosion would be a major factor that lead the NHRA to make a new 90 percent rule for Nitro teams that would go into effect in 2000.