Elliott Crashes Trying to Better NASCAR Speed Record

Bill Elliott set the NASCAR speed record back in 1987 at Talladega, with a qualifying lap in excess of 212mph. The record still stands, and is unlikely to be broken. Due to safety concerns with full bodied stock cars (see video below), NASCAR implemented restrictor plates and other measures to slow the cars down.



Yesterday, Bill tried to best his own record at Talladega, driving a Hajek Motorsports prepared Ford Mustang FR500C. This race only CobraJet Mustang was heavily modified to attempt speed records, while running on E-85 ethanol. The car was clocked at 252mph at the Bonneville salt flats earlier this year.



While this wouldn't affect the NASCAR record, it was a publicity stunt for Bill, Ford, Hajek, and Ethanol producers. It was thought that given the car's high straight line speed, that besting 212 at Talladega would be easy.

Well... maybe not....

The right front tire blew on lap two of his second warmup run, putting the car into the outside wall. Bill was not injured, but the same can't be said for the car.

Now, there is probably a sound technical reason for the tire to blow, but I tend to believe that the Talladega mystique (supposedly built on an Indian burial ground), coupled with God being upset over ethanol being uttered in the same breath as NASCAR probably had something to do with it.