I am thankful that I don't have to deal with this type of story very often. I have many friends in this sport. They know the risks and so do I. At the US Nationals in 1996, Blaine Johnson and Elmer Trett were both killed in separate accidents. I knew Blaine, he was quickly approaching the pinnacle of the sport, that of a national championship in Top Fuel Dragster. I didn't know Elmer but his accomplishments riding a Top Fuel Motorcycle are legendary. He set 15 elapsed time and speed records during his career. That weekend in Indianapolis was the darkest in the history of the sport.

Shelly's accident Saturday is even more troubling to me. Such a bizarre combination of unusual circumstances, something no one could have imagined happening. The estimated speed of Shelly's dragster was 250 miles per hour when it hit the tow vehicle sitting at the starting line. Both cars, or what was left of them, ended up in a drainage ditch 150 feet from the initial point of impact.

I apologize if anyone is offended by my posting my thoughts on this incident here on the chipboard. Many here are my friends and I wanted you to know a little about Shelly. She was a very special person in many ways. This photo was taken just about a year ago at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.