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Antron Brown launched his top fuel car in the
first round of eliminations at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix when one of
the massive rear tires broke off. Brown's dragster made a radical turn
toward the wall, flipped over and burst into flames in the violent
crash.
The wheel went airborne for nearly an eighth mile and bounced off a
fence hitting an unidentified woman that was sitting at a picnic table.
Tragically she was pronounced dead at a hospital in Chandler after
being air lifted out.
The safety safari of NHRA quickly extracted a badly shaken Brown from
the burning wreckage and he was taken to a nearby hospital and was said
to be physically all right.
It was a freak accident and certainly tragic.
Safety is always a
huge concern and the people in the drag racing community will work on a
way to better secure the tire to the vehicle.
Antron Brown's demolished dragster was covered with a tarp and
physically carried by team members into the hauler.
NHRA issued a statement of condolence to the family of the deceased
woman.
Racing is a close community whether it be NASCAR, NHRA or any other
series. It is a spectacular sport and spectacular events unfold when
you have high powered cars racing at high speeds.
NASCAR has had it's share of tragic events on track with the death of
drivers, but also with odd incidents of cars going airborne and
crashing against the catch fence. Unfortunately fans have been badly
injured in some of these instances.
When we go to these racing venues we are aware of the dangers, but it
is in the back of our minds. Just as drivers know how quickly things
can turn really bad, they cannot dwell on the danger.
Collectively our hearts go out to the family and friends of the woman
that lost her life while sitting at a picnic table during the drag race
eliminations. We feel sadness for Schumacher Racing who owns Brown's
top fuel car and ofcourse for Antron Brown who must be quite distraught.
Race fans love racing and horrific accidents will not deter them from
attending events. Each racing series is highly cognizant of driver and
fan safety. From every serious injury or death that is in any way
racing related, new and better procedures evolve.