Fans Remember Racing Star Jessi Combs After Tragic Death
Racer Jessi Combs was an inspiration to thousands of fans, and many are sharing their personal experiences with the star in the wake of her tragic death.
Most of the comments came via Combs' Facebook page, which has turned into a memorial for the 36-year-old.
Wes Smith writes,
"Was great meeting you in 2015, I so badly wanted my girls to meet you someday, you will be missed."
Lots of fans had interactions with Combs at auto shows and events, like the annual SEMA show.
Marlena Michelle Jasso was one of those lucky people who met Combs and explained how she helped her husband during a dire time in his life.
Jasso wrote,
"This pic is from SEMA a few years ago. It is more than just a "fan" pic. See this is a few weeks after a life saving surgery for my husband. One of the things that got him through the depression and anxiety of not knowing if the surgery would happen was watching powerblock and extreme 4x4. He was in awe of Jessi and very impressed with her fabrication skills. She was so awesome in person and spent some time talking to us that day. You will be missed and thank you for being an inspiration.
Another fan, Richard McDonald, remembered when Combs took time after a long day for a meet and greet with his young son.
"My Son Eric and I were lucky enough to meet you in Cedar Rapids in 2016 after a long day on the road for you. I knew you were tired but you are nothing less than a kind, caring and absolutely wonderful lady," McDonald wrote.
He added, "Thank you for being example of what to be for so many. Godspeed good lady and rest well until your next go round!"
Combs wasn't just a role model for kids and other auto enthisaists, she was also an inspiration to women for thriving in a male-dominated industry.
Diane Rudesill Jordan is one of her fans who recognizes the feat she accomplished, and wrote, "She was a great role model for women and girls and such an inspiration. She will be greatly missed by many.
As we reported, Combs died Tuesday after a crash while trying to set a land speed record in the Alvord Desert in Oregon.
At the time of the wreck, she was piloting a 52,000-horsepower, 56-foot-long, North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger fabricated from a fighter jet.
