When the NHRA Fuel classes went from a quarter mile to 1000 feet, the cynics said that the crew chiefs would just tune the cars to blow up at 1001 feet instead of 1321… Well, even the best in the business don’t always even make it that far, as demonstrated by Ashley Force Hood this past weekend at Maple Grove.

Photo Courtesy of Brian Link

Against her father in the other lane in the second round of qualifying on Friday, Ashley got loose, then lost the engine and body in quick succession, but kept her head and drove the car to a stop without further incident. Dragzine reader Brian Link was quick on the shutter button and captured this dramatic photo of the moment, and was kind enough to share it with us.

Ashley was back in action on Saturday with two clean passes that moved her up in the order to finish qualifying in 11th place with a best of 4.099 at 308.57, but lost another engine (and chassis) in the first round on Sunday against Cruz Pedregon when another explosion tore the car in half at the 330.  “There was no warning at all,” she remarked. “I remember it leaving great, hooking up and then ‘boom.’ It was a complete surprise. It felt like it was on a really good run.”

All in all, it was a snakebit weekend for Force Racing, with all three team cars going out in the first round – John Force got a mechanical DQ versus Dale Creasy, Jr. when his car refused to go into reverse after the burnout, and Robert Hight gave up the round to Tony Pedregon when his car went into tire shake 100 yards out. Force goes into the last two races of the season 64 points down on Maple Grove runner-up and points leader Matt Hagan, with Force Hood more or less out of contention, 138 points behind Hagan in fourth.