NHRA Pro Modified Dragster Fire - Action!!

Pro Modified driver Shelly Payne runs a "hot lap" at the NHRA Nationals in Virginia.

By John McGann, Photography by Bob Hesser/Auto Imagery, Inc.

Shanked It!
Pro Modified driver Shelly Payne hit the wall hard in a scary crash during last October's Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals in Virginia. In the second round of eliminations, Payne was lined up against Tim Tindle, who was slow off the line because of tire shake. At half track, Payne's Camaro started to slide, crashing nearly headfirst into the righthand wall. Tindle, who was still behind Payne, had to brake hard to avoid hitting her as she crossed the centerline and hit the lefthand wall. After a few tense moments, Payne emerged from her car under her own power. She appeared shaken but was uninjured. She apologized to her crew and her father for the crash.

"I was never more happy that I shook the tires than on that run, because I was just a bit behind her when she crossed over in front of me" - Tim Tindle, as quoted in Drag Racing Online.