Camaro Engine Explosion Shocks Crowd At Yello Belly Drag Strip

The loud bang startled the crowd at this drag racing event in Texas

Watching drag racing up close is a thrill, at least until something goes catastrophically wrong. Unfortunately, this was the case with a Chevrolet Camaro in Texas, which spectacularly blew its modified engine right before a race.

The mishap unfolded on April 10 at the Yello Belly Drag Strip, one of the oldest raceways in the U.S., dating back to 1955. The entire event was livestreamed on YouTube by TSV Motorsports, which is how we got a front-row seat to the explosion.

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It all begins around the 8:34 mark in the video, when a red Camaro lines up against a white Mustang. After revving the engine, the Camaro stalls at the starting line, an issue caused by a small fire in the engine bay. The crowd reacts quickly, popping the hood to inspect the damage. Not long after, the driver attempts to restart the engine, which, as you can guess, results in a catastrophic misfire.

What followed was a violent explosion that sent part of the hood flying through the air like an overzealous paper airplane. The deafening bang was enough to rattle the crowd, and while no one was physically injured by the debris, it’s safe to assume that those standing too close were at risk of hearing loss from the blast.

Interestingly, just an hour before the explosion (at the 7:31 mark), this very Camaro had won another race without a hitch. So what went wrong?

According to some Reddit users, the most plausible cause of the explosion is the buildup of a highly flammable compound in the cylinder chambers, potentially due to the vehicle’s nitrous oxide (NOS) system. While the exact cause remains unclear, one thing is certain: the engine sustained severe damage and will need extensive repairs before it can hit the track again.

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Contrary to popular belief, drag racing is one of the safest forms of motorsport when conducted under the right conditions. While accidents can occur, the crowd is generally protected behind safety barriers. Additionally, most drivers wear extensive safety gear, which significantly lowers the risk of serious injury.

Photo TSV Motorsports / YouTube