The NHRA New England Nationals event had already delivered some pretty amazing stuff by the time that Saturday afternoon had rolled around. Historically quick runs in classes from super stock to funny car kept two days of packed house attendance entertained. Track records were leveled multiple times in multiple categories and things were really set up for a nice afternoon of nitro fun in Epping, New Hampshire. That is why no one could have predicted the calamity that would befall Jack Beckman during the third round of funny car qualifying.
While making a run against John Hale, Beckman’s Infinite Hero foundation Dodge exploded with a level of destructive force New England Dragway had never seen before. Funny cars and dragsters explode, it happens, but they don’t usually detonate with the ferocity that this one did. As you will see in the video, the explosion was so great the actual blower case was blown apart (admittedly something we have never seen in a modern blower with a billet case). That gives you an idea of just how much of a bomb this was.
In the videos below you will see the explosion and you will also see John Kernan’s interview with Jack after the hist has settled at the top end of the track. Beckman goes into detail about what it was like to be inside the car when all of this happened and it is a pretty damned good watch.
We were very relieved that Jack was OK. The car is not Ok, though. With a bent chassis and a destroyed engine, the crew was dismantling the thing and getting the backup car ready last night for the racing that we plan on seeing Sunday.
Driving funny cars is a dangerous business but even with that being said, some days are LOTS more dangerous than others.
