The first round of Funny Car eliminations during the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Ca., produced more excitement than one could imagine as Tony Pedregon suffered a devastating explosion and John Force ran off the end of the track.

Neither driver was apparently seriously injured in the accident, although Pedregon is being tended to by medical staff.

“I broke every rule you can break as a driver. It’s called brain fade,” Force said. “I was worried about the reaction times because I was late off of the line because of my foot.”

The first round of Funny Car eliminations during the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Ca., produced more excitement than one could imagine as Tony Pedregon suffered a devastating explosion and John Force ran off the end of the track.

Neither driver was apparently seriously injured in the accident, although Pedregon is being tended to by medical staff.

“I broke every rule you can break as a driver. It’s called brain fade,” Force said. “I was worried about the reaction times because I was late off of the line because of my foot.”

Then all hell broke loose as Pedregon’s Quaker State Monte Carlo exploded and launched the body into pieces except for the front-end. Pedregon was then launched into the left retaining wall and over into the right before coming to stop just shy of the sand trap.

Force ran late on deploying the chutes and made his way into the sand.

“He’s okay,” said Force. “When I got hurt, Tony was the first person at the hospital telling me to get better and get back out of here.”

Force said the concussion from Pedregon’s explosion sent shrapnel into the side of his car. Video of the accident revealed the body went airborne and came to a rest alongside of the track.
“I was looking at him and forgot about the parachutes,” Force said. “Then I saw the sand and I remembered the one thing I always tell my children.”

In other words, the Force family rule, ‘Do as I say, not as I do” applied in this instance.

“I did the one thing I always tell my kids not to do,” Force said. “Don’t forget the parachutes. I just did. The car is alright. Got it stopped. [crew chief Austin] Coil is gonna kill me.

“I’m glad Tony is okay.”

Videos of the recovery process showed a visibly shaken Pedregon walking to the ambulance with a good portion of his firesuit burned away. Top end crews reported some possible after effects of the heat experienced from the massive fire.