Sports · NHRA qualifyingLas Vegas Funny Car: Wilkerson stops after explosion, fire and wall contactWritten November 1, 2026 at 2:15 AM UTCWatchTranscript0:07Daniel Wilkerson's funny car caught fire after a blower explosion and struck the0:10guardwall.0:11He brought the damaged car to a safe stop and said he was fine.0:14His team now faces an unresolved question: Can it get him back into competition0:18safely?0:19Wilkerson was in his third funny car qualifying session at the strip at Las Vegas0:23Motor Speedway.0:24He was driving the Skag Jackal alongside J.R.0:27Todd at the Mopar NHRA Las Vegas Nationals presented by Dodge on October31 .0:32Wilkerson said the explosion followed almost immediately after he noticed the tires0:36starting to spin.0:36He described it this way: it barely started spinning, and by the time I thought, Oh,0:40it's spinning, it freaking blew up in my face.0:43He then had to fight for control of the car while dealing with a fire he described0:46as extremely hot.0:48Wilkerson said he steered left to avoid J.R.0:50Todd as he struggled to control the car.0:53Both the front and rear tires contacted the guardwall before he brought the damaged0:56funny car to a safe stop.0:58Wilkerson's immediate reaction was, I am fine.1:00I am just embarrassed.1:02That's his own assessment of how he felt after the incident.1:05Medical clearance to race again hasn't been confirmed.1:07The extent of the damage is still unclear, along with whether the team can repair1:11the car or plans a replacement.1:13Wilkerson's return to competition or withdrawal hasn't been confirmed.Read the articleStory timelineHeyDex
