nitro funny car explosion

[topfuel]

Don't know if anyone saw this during qualifying coverage of the US nationals this weekend, but we had a very scary moment with our car.
YouTube - 2009 NHRA Mac Tools US Nationals Bob Bode Explosion

A valvetrain failure hung an intake valve open and caused a massive explosion at the finish line. It literally brought tears to my eyes watching
this go down, not knowing if Bode was ok. I couldn't see the car after the explosion because of the smoke and debris and it seemed like time stood still while waiting to see if he made it out ok.

Having an engine explode is one thing, I've seen it many times, but to lose the body and the downforce at 270mph is another. Thank God he was able to maintain and keep the car off the wall.

Our crash box measured 72G's of force from the explosion...

 

[X Ray]

All I can say is WOW…glad the drive was OK….and no fans were injured….thanks for sharing.

 

[topfuel]

All I can say is WOW…glad the drive was OK….and no fans were injured….thanks for sharing.

Yeah, looked like the rear wing came awfully close to hitting a safety official.

 

[cruzn57]

Holy sh*t

that was one of the most violent explosions I've seen!
I did work NHRA for yrs, and have seen alot, but thats scary!
glad all are ok, thanks for sharing

 

[topfuel]

some pics of the bottom end.

It cracked the blower case, put holes in the intake manifold, sent a pushrod through the valve cover ect... this was the worst we've ever had.