Top fuel world champion Don Garlits of...
Top fuel world champion Don Garlits of Ocala, Fla., escaped injury when his dragster crashed in a mid-track wheelstand during qualifying in the 17th annual National Hot Rod Assn. Summernationals at Englishtown, N.J.
The crash destroyed the car’s front suspension, forcing Garlits to withdraw from further competition.
Friday, Garlits set a national speed record of 271.08 m.p.h. and had the quickest elapsed time in top fuel history of 5.34 seconds.
More to Read
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.