A drag-racing driver went through a containment area at the end of a track and died of head injuries after crashing his alcohol-fueled Funny Car during a qualifying round at the NHRA SuperNationals at a New Jersey raceway Friday, according to state police.
Neal Parker, 58, of Millville, N.J., crashed at Raceway Park.
Parker was pronounced dead at the scene, state police Sgt. Stephen Jones said.
Parker was entered in the Top Alcohol Funny Car competition.
“Parker ... crashed Friday at a high rate of speed in the shutdown area during qualifying,” NHRA officials said in a statement on the organization’s website. Seattle Times
“It looked like the chute just didn’t open and he couldn’t stop,” said David Farrah, a spectator. “The car was just crushed.” New York Times
Although Parker’s class continued qualifying, Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria—who had lined up two pairings behind him—said, “I don’t think they should run today, out of respect for him. I think they should shut it down, like they did for Scott.”
“I want to race, but it doesn’t feel right today,” she said. “We’re probably going to have to do it anyway ... but I’ve got to tell you—I’ve got a sick feeling in my stomach.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” DeJoria said. “I’m at war with myself right now. I’m kind of lost right now.”
“That’s the NHRA’s response,” she said. “The show goes on.”
Kalitta’s death prompted the NHRA to shorten the length of the race course for the nitromethane-fueled Top Fuel and Funny Car classes from the traditional quarter-mile (1,320 feet) to 1,000 feet. However, Parker’s death begged the question of whether sportsman drivers, too, should be limited to 1,000 feet.
“We should have those electronic units [Electromotion sensors] that deploy the parachutes and shut the car off at the end of the quarter-mile,” he said. “They are using them on the nitro cars, and I believe they are going to eventually put them on our cars. At the very minimum, we ought to have that.” NJ.com
NHRA fans respond to death of Neal Parker via Twitter. Parker, 58, was killed tragically after crashing into a safety net on Friday.
“Witnessed the death of a drag racer today, RIP Neal Parker,” an NHRA spectator wrote Friday afternoon. Other fans left messages of condolences for friends and family offering their prayers and blessings. While some fans sent messages of uplifting support, other fans were enraged at how the NHRA handled the event.
“boycott the @nhra racing series untl they get serious about safety of tracks, cars, and start a vigorous inspection process of all cars!!!!,” writes an angry advocate of the sport. “i wonder when the car of neal parker had last been inspected by a nhra official or when a nhra official inspected the shutdown area. @nhra.” Examiner.com
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