It was a haunting day at the 2010 NHRA Arizona Nationals when Top Fuel driver Antron Brown’s rear wheel broke loose mid-run and went hurtling into the crowd. The flying tire struck a female spectator with such force that it claimed her life instantly. A grim reminder that in motorsports, danger doesn’t end at the guardrail. The sound of 8,000-horsepower machines ripping down the track might electrify fans, but it also comes with the unspoken risk that when something goes wrong, the consequences can ricochet far beyond the strip. That day forced the NHRA to rethink safety zones, wheel restraints, and just how close fans should be allowed to these fire-breathing beasts.

Fifteen years later, that sense of danger returned in terrifying clarity at Pacific Raceways in July 2025. Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed suffered a devastating tire failure at nearly 300 mph, sending debris flying over the barriers and into the RV viewing section. One spectator, Kili Cambra, was struck in the head by a rogue tire fragment, requiring emergency airlift to Seattle for head trauma. The incident reignited debate about fan proximity, track safety, and whether enough has truly changed since that fatal day in Arizona.

A crash that crossed the fence

Debris from Reed’s wreck flew beyond the confines of the racing surface, breaching the boundary meant to separate the sport’s speed from the fans who cherish it. In the middle of it all, 53-year-old Kili Cambra in the RV viewing section, who came expecting drag racing adrenaline, was struck by flying debris. The accident saw Reed’s dragster cross the centerline and slam nose-first into a barrier. It sent parts of the vehicle catapulting into the RV spectator zone. One large fragment a piece of the tire, ricocheted off a motorhome before smashing into her head, leaving her briefly unconscious and requiring urgent hospitalization.

Cambra described the surreal moment just before impact: “The last thing I remember was the car flying across and hitting the barricade,” she said. She was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle. “I’m still hurting pretty good. To me, it’s the sport. It’s car races. Accidents happen,” she said while recovering at home. Cambra was watching the race with her husband from their usual spot in the RV section. What they never anticipated was becoming part of the crash site. “Had it hit me square on, it might have had a different outcome,” Cambra added. “Instead, the motor home took the impact first. I think I was very, very lucky.”

Cambra sustained head trauma and underwent two full-body CT scans at Harborview Medical Center. While early signs pointed to an acute subdural hemorrhage, she was discharged Sunday morning with multiple stitches, scrapes, and swelling. “The tip of my tongue, which I almost bit off, is also stinging and burning as it heals,” she shared.

Shawn Reed, the driver behind the wheel, was also rushed to Harborview after suffering two fractured ribs and a severe hand injury that resulted in the amputation of his left index finger. In a statement released through his website, Reed reassured fans he’s determined to return: “It may require a little adjusting, but it’d take a lot more than one missing digit to keep me down.” Despite not mentioning Cambra directly in their initial response, the NHRA later issued a statement: “We’re relieved to know the injured fan is now home. Our thoughts remain with them and their family.” 

Safety teams had responded quickly to Reed’s crash, and both NHRA and Pacific Raceways promised thorough safety reviews going forward. Still, fans and insiders alike are asking tougher questions now about fencing, emergency protocols, and the physical layout of spectator zones near the finish line. While this story is quite the tale of caution, another one unfolding among the NHRA ranks had a lot to cheer about.

Two days, two stories: An NHRA record amid wreckage

Just one day after the chaos, Pacific Raceways delivered a very different headline. Brittany Force, a two-time Top Fuel world champion, made history by clocking the fastest run in NHRA history, 341.85 miles per hour during her semifinal appearance. The performance, executed on the same track Reed had crashed on less than 24 hours earlier, reinforced both the raw power of the machines and the razor-thin line between glory and disaster.

Brittany Force’s record is now etched in drag racing history. And even if she didn’t break this record, she would still be etched in history. Why? Because she broke her own record! In April, Force set a time of 341.59 mph, and after breaking it on Sunday, she was incredibly proud. “Obviously, the highlight of our weekend was in the semifinals when we made a killer run and went even faster than our (previous) national record,” Force said. And the top two spots are not the only ones she holds.

In the 2025 season alone, Brittany Force made Top Fuel history by recording 5 of the 6 fastest speeds! However, speed was never a determinant of success, as Force fell short in the final round after a stellar showing. Her engine’s safety system shut her car down, and that allowed Shawn Langdon to take home the victory. Force did not beat herself up for it, and was proud of her team’s efforts, saying, “Overall, it was a pretty solid outing for this team. We were able to make our way to the final round but, unfortunately, came up short.” At 39 years old, Force is rewriting what it takes to be an elite drag racer, so let’s hope she can break more records en route to a title this time!