Dramatic moment car EXPLODES during high speed drag race

This is the dramatic moment a car exploded during a drag race and crashed into a fellow driver.

Legendary driver John Force, 68, was competing against Jonnie Lindberg, 28, in the quarterfinal eliminations round of the NHRA Arizona Nationals on Sunday.

Force had taken an early lead in the race but video shows a fuel leak at the side of his car. 

Within seconds, the vehicle exploded in a ball of fire.

This is the dramatic moment a car exploded during a high speed drag race

The force of the blast sent the car crashing into his competitor's vehicle and the pair's parachutes quickly became entangled 

The force of the blast sent the car crashing into his competitor’s vehicle and the pair’s parachutes quickly became entangled 

Force’s parachutes deployed but the force of the explosion sent him hurtling into Lindberg’s car, knocking off its protective cover.

The crowd looked on in horror as the two cars’ parachutes quickly became entangled and the vehicles bounced violently into one another until Lindberg’s damaged car, and Force’s still smoking car hit the wall and finally came to a stop.

Incredibly, Lindberg walked away from the crash, apparently unharmed although he looked visibly angry as he climbed out the wreckage and picked up his scattered belongings.

Force had taken an early lead in the race but video shows a fuel leak at the side of his car

Force had taken an early lead in the race but video shows a fuel leak at the side of his car

Legendary driver John Force, 68, was competing against Jonnie Lindberg, 28, in the elimination round of the NHRA Arizona Nationals on Sunday when his vehicle exploded in a ball of fire

Legendary driver John Force, 68, was competing against Jonnie Lindberg, 28, in the elimination round of the NHRA Arizona Nationals on Sunday when his vehicle exploded in a ball of fire

Flames enveloped Force, who was wearing a helmet and protective clothing, as the coverwas blown off his car

Flames enveloped Force, who was wearing a helmet and protective clothing, as the coverwas blown off his car

Emergency crews responded to help Force who was rushed to the nearby Chandler Regional Hospital.

He was released from hospital later that same evening.

The 16-time Funny Car champion is expected to make an appearance to sign autographs from 6-8 p.m this evening at the Greater Milwaukee Auto Show at the Wisconsin Center.

It’s not the first time Force has been involved in a serious crash. In 2007, in a similar incident, the driver had just won his second round race in the NHRA Fall National, when his car blew a tire.

He crossed into the opposite lane, crashing into a Dodge  being driven by Kenny Bernstein. 

Lindberg walked away from the crash, while Force was taken to hospital but released later that evening

Lindberg walked away from the crash, while Force was taken to hospital but released later that evening

Lindberg (right) was not harmed in the crash, while Force (left) was taken to hospital but released later that evening

Emergency crews rushed to help Force who was stuck in his still smoldering vehicle 

Emergency crews rushed to help Force who was stuck in his still smoldering vehicle 

Miraculously, Lindberg (left in the black helmet) walked free of the serious crash

Miraculously, Lindberg (left in the black helmet) walked free of the serious crash

On that occasion, Force had to be airlifted from the stadium and underwent six hours of reconstructive surgery.

He cites improved safety features over the last decade for him avoiding more serious injury on Sunday.

However, it wasn’t all bad news for Force who had just won the elimination round before his car exploded. 

His daughter Brittany, who had just returned to racing after a crash in the season opener, won her first round and his other daughter Courtney, won the Funny Car for Advance Auto Parts.

‘My struggles continue, but I’m a big boy, I’ll fix it,’ Force told AutoWeek.

The 16-time Funny Car champion Force (pictured at the NHRA Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway on July 24, 2016) had just won the round when the explosion occurred 

The 16-time Funny Car champion Force (pictured at the NHRA Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway on July 24, 2016) had just won the round when the explosion occurred 



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