P H O T O G R A P H B Y R A N D Y C U R T I S

T E X A S M O T O R P L E X • E N N I S , T E X A S S A T U R D AY , O C T O B E R 1 4 T H , 2 0 2 3

A massive fireball erupts from Clay Millican ’ s Parts Plus Top Fuel dragster as he attempts to leave the Texas Motorplex starting line in the third qualifying session at the Texas NHRA FallNationals . Millican ’ s Rick Ware Racing team rebuilt the engine and came back for the fourth and final qualifying session , eventually settling into the No . 11 spot once qualifying was complete . In a top-end interview during Sunday eliminations , the humble yet excitable driver claimed responsibility for the explosion , noting that he didn ’ t check the oil pressure meter before he staged . He went on to beat Justin Ashley and Mike Salinas before losing to Leah Pruett in a semifinal rematch of the St . Louis final round , where Millican beat Pruett for his third win of the season .

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