On Friday at the 2016 NHRA Gatornationals, NHRA pro mod racer Dan Stevenson suffered the most horrendous fire that the class has seen in its 15 year history with the National Hot Rod Association. Stevenson emerged from the car and was OK after being examined and treated for smoke inhalation, but to see this thing ignite and burn was shocking and very scary, especially due to the speed that Stevenson was carrying when the engine failure occurred and the entire chain of events began.
What was most shocking about this is the fact that the scenario was nearly identical to an old school funny car fire and that it happened so far down track. Stevenson’s Camaro was really moving as the conflagration began. Dan showed near superhuman poise and ability to take the burning car, keep it in his lane, and then bring it to a stop without ever getting near the centerline or impacting the wall hard. We do not know the cause of the engine failure at this point and out of respect for the team we did not go immediately running over to their pit space after the car was back in it. We’ll get the information and pass it along when we do.
Dan is a wonderful guy and his fifth generation Camaro bodied machine was one of our favorites. The fit and finish on the car was amazing, the paint and graphic package made the thing literally jump off a printed or electronic page, and we know how much Dan enjoyed the competition. We’re not sure what the team’s future plans are as of yet but we’ll relay that information when we gather it.
You’ll find yourself watching this video multiple times because it is so insane. Joe Castello is on the call and the NHRA Safety Safari was on the scene instantly. Here’s how it all went down –
thats nasty.
its up there with bill khulmanns nitro coupe fire at Super chevy.
which was one of th3 nastiest ive ever seen sipmly because they couldn’t get him out of the car
Very best wishes to Dan and his family and team, an outstandind piece of driving in the worst situation imaginable for a drag racer, good luck to all for the future.
OMG! That’s scary. Hope he is ok.