Taka a look how Jason Collins wins a WILD round of Pro Mod in Bristol!
If you think you’ve seen everything in drag racing, think again.
Jason Collins delivered one of the most unbelievable moments of the 2026 NHRA season at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, turning what looked like a disaster into a trip to the winner’s circle.
Disaster Struck Before the Race Even Started
During the quarterfinal round at Bristol Dragway, Collins was performing his burnout when something almost unimaginable happened.
His removable steering wheel came loose and detached from the steering column, leaving him with no steering control as the car headed toward the Christmas Tree. Collins immediately got on the brakes and brought the car to a stop before disaster struck.
Most racers would assume their day was over.
Not Jason Collins.
He Fixed It and WON the Round
After reconnecting the steering wheel and ensuring everything was secure, Collins re-staged and made the run.
The result?
A strong 5.786-second pass at 247.79 mph, defeating Travis Harvey and advancing to the semifinals. What looked like a race-ending incident became one of the wildest recovery stories of the year.
The Chaos Didn’t End There
Collins’ day continued to be a roller coaster.
Reports from Bristol show he also struck the center guard wall area during the burnout incident, yet the team managed to keep the car race-ready. He then defeated Stan Shelton in the semifinals with a 5.798 at 247.52 mph to reach the final round.
A Crazy Final Round
The championship battle against No. 1 qualifier Mike Stavrinos was every bit as dramatic.
Stavrinos red-lit by just .005 seconds, while Collins’ car got loose and nearly crossed the centerline before he gathered it up and drove through for the victory. It was his second Pro Mod win of the season and his third straight final-round appearance.
Collins Couldn’t Believe It
After the win, Collins admitted the day was anything but normal.
“I wasn’t supposed to win today, but my car was really good.”
The victory also locked him into the NHRA Pro Mod playoffs and moved him into the championship conversation heading into the postseason.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Thunder Valley Nationals may ultimately be remembered for one thing:
A driver losing his steering wheel during a burnout… then going on to win the race.
Loose steering wheel.
Near disaster.
Multiple close calls.
Winner’s circle.
That’s the kind of story that only drag racing can produce. 🏁🔥
