Friday, 11 June 2010
Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Neal Parker, 58 of Millville, N.J., died following a crash at the United Association SuperNationals in Englishtown, N.J. on Friday.
Parker wasn't able to get his car slowed down and he went off the end of the track and into the sand trap, knocking down a couple of layers of the catch netting and according to NHRA VP of competition Graham Light, into the water barrels at the end of the catch area.
The NHRA released this statement in the hours after the crash: "Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Neal Parker, 58 from Millville, N.J., crashed today at a high race of speed in the shutdown area during qualifying for the NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Rark and was pronounced dead. NHRA officials and the New Jersey State Police are investigating the accident. On behalf of everyone at NHRA and Raceway Park, we are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Parker family."
Parker crossed the finish line in 5.732 seconds and was going 249.90 mph. This is the second fatal crash in three years at the SuperNationals. Fuel Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta died from injures suffered in a crash of his own in 2008.
The NHRA announced at 3 p.m. EDT that the racing would resume with the Pro Stock Motorcycles and the rest of the pro slate at 4 p.m. EDT.
