DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Ahead of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals that will kick off at noon on Friday at Virginia Motorsports Park, 8News got an inside look at racing with Lyle Barnett, an NHRA Pro Mod driver.
Lyle Barnett will be racing during the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals, which will span from Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23.
Barnett explained that these cars are the fastest accelerating cars in the world, and that Pro Mod cars are the fastest door cars in the world.
“Pro Modified is the only class of drag racing contested around the world, so it is the universal language of drag racing,” Barnett said.
When asked about how he first became interested in drag racing, Barnett said that his father and grandfather raced in motorsports, but stopped when he was growing up. They noticed his interest and took him to the track when he was about 15 years old, after which he continued to race.
When Barnett was 24 years old, he said he was drag racing in one of the highest levels of drag radial racing and was near the end of a run when his car broke out in flames. He said he was trapped inside the car for nearly 30 seconds.
Afterward, Barnett said he spent time recovering at a hospital in Augusta, Georgia.
“I’ve got everything back but my eyebrows, but we can do without those,” Barnett said. “I just decided that I wasn’t done; I’m kind of one of those where if the horse bucks you off, you get back on it, kind of guy.”
With that experience behind him, Barnett said that when getting in a car, it may be in the back of his mind, but he takes precautions by wearing proper safety gear like helmets, heavy gloves and a suit, which gives him peace of mind.
In reference to the atmosphere of NHRA events, Barnett described that they are inviting and family friendly, with constant action on the track all day long.
For more information about all of the races over the weekend, visit NHRA’s website.
DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Ahead of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals that will kick off at noon on Friday at Virginia Motorsports Park, 8News got an inside look at racing with Lyle Barnett, an NHRA Pro Mod driver.
Lyle Barnett will be racing during the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals, which will span from Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23.
Barnett explained that these cars are the fastest accelerating cars in the world, and that Pro Mod cars are the fastest door cars in the world.
“Pro Modified is the only class of drag racing contested around the world, so it is the universal language of drag racing,” Barnett said.
When asked about how he first became interested in drag racing, Barnett said that his father and grandfather raced in motorsports, but stopped when he was growing up. They noticed his interest and took him to the track when he was about 15 years old, after which he continued to race.
When Barnett was 24 years old, he said he was drag racing in one of the highest levels of drag radial racing and was near the end of a run when his car broke out in flames. He said he was trapped inside the car for nearly 30 seconds.
Afterward, Barnett said he spent time recovering at a hospital in Augusta, Georgia.
“I’ve got everything back but my eyebrows, but we can do without those,” Barnett said. “I just decided that I wasn’t done; I’m kind of one of those where if the horse bucks you off, you get back on it, kind of guy.”
With that experience behind him, Barnett said that when getting in a car, it may be in the back of his mind, but he takes precautions by wearing proper safety gear like helmets, heavy gloves and a suit, which gives him peace of mind.
In reference to the atmosphere of NHRA events, Barnett described that they are inviting and family friendly, with constant action on the track all day long.
For more information about all of the races over the weekend, visit NHRA’s website.