By Lee Elder
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2018) – Defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Brittany Force crashed heavily during her first-round race at Sunday’s Lucas Oil Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Speedway.
Force was reportedly awake and responsive after the crash. She was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Force’s Top Fuel dragster spun its tires shortly after leaving the starting line in the right lane during her race against Terry Haddock. The car went sideways and Force fought to correct it but eventually crossed the centerline and hit the left side retaining wall. The car nearly landed on its side, then spun backwards and re-crossed the track, hitting the right side retaining wall with the back of the car before sliding to a stop.
The event was the first race of the NHRA’s 2018 season.
Scary, I don’t follow drag racing well enough to know how well they cage up the drivers, but given the horsepower and speed of the top fuel cars it has to be pretty dangerous regardless. Have seen crashes drivers should have walked away from but didn’t (Senna, Earnhardt) so always scary. Hope she really is OK.