NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

In a pair that was exciting for all the wrong reasons, Jim Campbell's Funny Car blew up at 300 feet in the right lane, but then all eyes were on the opposite lane. Gary Densham went 4.050, 307.70 in the left lane, but his parachutes failed to deploy.

The retired schoolteacher and nitro veteran ended up in the top-end sand trap and safety net. Densham climbed out of his car safely, with the safety net, the Grant Downing-built chassis, and safety equipment working as intended. Densham was checked and released by NHRA emergency services officials.

Densham's car is heavily damaged, and he is not expected to return to competition at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals.

"It's hard to tear up a perfectly good race car," said Densham. "I don't know what happened with the chutes, and the brakes weren't quite enough. I'm glad the NHRA Safety Safari does what they do."

The fan-favorite driver is a two-time runner-up at this event, in 1999 and 2004, and has competed at it since 1974. A Murrieta, Calif., resident, he has eight national event victories and runs his Lawson Rock & Oil Dodge Charger on a limited schedule.

UPDATE (2/16): Densham, who alluded to retiring during his top-end interview on FOX Sports 1 following the incident, has since posted an update on his Facebook page expressing his desire to be back on the dragstrip at his next scheduled event, the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, April 1-3, by stating the following:

"I must post today because I need to thank so many friends and fans for the outpouring of support after my accident. I am overwhelmed with emotion. My wife has let you all know that I am fine, physically. Financially, not so much. But with the support I have received, I just wanted to let you know that I am doing everything I can to make our next scheduled race in Las Vegas. Keep your fingers crossed. There is still fight in this old dog."