Arizona Dragster Crash Kills Spectator
CHANDLER, Ariz. --
A spectator was killed by a tire that flew off a crashing dragster Sunday at the National Hot Rod Association Nationals in the Gila River Indian Community.
Antron Brown, 33 , lost control of his dragster during a first-round race race against Troy Buff at Firebird International Raceway, according to Ted Yerzyk of Don Schumacher Racing. A rear tire flew off his Don Schumacher-owned Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster, hit a guard rail, flew into the stands and struck the spectator.
"It gained force down the track," said spectator Duane Walker. "She didn't even know it was coming."
The name of the victim, who was watching the race in a wheelchair, has not yet been released. On Monday morning, Firebird International Raceway said it will not release the victim's identity "out of respect for her family."
There were initially some conflicting reports about her condition as she was airlifted to Good Samaritan Medical Center, where she later died.
"There's big monitors on the other side of the tracks and so everybody's attention is looking at the monitors," said witness Anthony Baily. "So nobody saw anything coming when it happened."
The tire continued spinning into the pit area and hit a team's trailer.
NHRA officials released a statement Sunday night that said, "The entire NHRA community is deeply saddened by today's incident and sends its thoughts and prayers to the woman's family and friends."
Brown was evaluated by the track's medical staff and taken to Chandler Regional Hospital for further observation.
"It all happened so quickly and I want to thank the NHRA Safety Safari for being there so quickly to help get me out of the car and also the track medical team for tending to me so quickly," Brown said in a statement on his Web site.
Brown qualified in the No. 4 position Saturday during the 26th annual Arizona Nationals and is the defending event champion of the Phoenix race.
He has 24 career wins and is the only driver in NHRA history to win races in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
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