Minor’s 5.247-Second Run Is the Quickest Ever in Drag Racing

Larry Minor, 46, a part-time driver from San Jacinto, Calif., recorded the best elapsed time in drag racing history Friday during qualifying for Sunday’s National Hot Rod Assn. Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.

Minor drove his top fuel dragster down the quarter-mile track in 5.247 seconds, hitting 262.08 m.p.h. The previous best was a 5.261-second run by Darrell Gwynn.

Minor, owner of a three-car team, has competed in selected events since 1983. He must run within 99% of the 5.247 during this event to set an NHRA national event record.

In an accident at the strip, a mechanic from Baltimore, Mike Coyle, 32, was seriously burned over 30% of his body when gasoline ignited as he fueled a funny car.

Coyle spilled fuel onto the generator of the car while it was running, and it ignited, according to Tammy Ferrell, spokeswoman for the NHRA.

She said the largest burns covered Coyle’s face, arms and legs. “He was alert, stable and talking the whole time they were taking him from the pits,” Ferrell said. He was flown to a hospital by helicopter and was listed in stable condition with mostly second-degree burns.