Drag racing is all about power and speed, accelerating as hard and fast as possible before crossing the timing line and deploying the brakes (usually with a handy parachute-like air brake to help). Given the speeds involved – 270mph in the Top Alcohol feeder series alone – it’s no wonder people are drawn to the spectacle.
But sometimes that spectacle can go horribly wrong, such as in this crash involving Mark Taliaferro. Shortly after the start his car veered 90 degrees (luckily missing his competitor who didn’t have as good a start), hit the wall, flipped and burst into flames. Fortunately Taliaferro walked away uninjured.
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