Race Car Driver Jessi Combs Killed While Trying To Break Land-Speed Record

Nina Golgowski
Updated

Race car driver and TV personality Jessi Combs died in a high-speed crash this week while attempting to break her own land-speed record of 398 mph in a four-wheel vehicle. She was 36.

Combs was a part-time host of Discovery Channel’s “Mythbusters” and hosted Autoblog’s “The List” video series, among other roles.

In a statement obtained by Autoblog, Combs’ family said she was attempting to set a new record in a jet-powered vehicle in a dry lake bed in Oregon when she crashed.

View this post on Instagram

It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire... those who are willing, are those who achieve great things. . . People say I’m crazy. I say thank you ;) . . . #fastestwomanonearth #almost #fasterthanfast #jetcar #afterburner #landpseed @landspeed763 #iwillgofaster #gottabreak512 #aimingfor619 #currentlyat483 #northamericaneagle #i❤️afterburners

A post shared by Jessi Combs (@thejessicombs) on

Combs had indicated on Instagram just prior to her death that she was aiming to reach a speed of 619 mph. The current women’s land-speed world record of 512 mph was set in 1976 by Kitty O’Neil in a rocket-powered three-wheeled SM1 Motivator.

“Jessi’s most notable dream was to become the fastest woman on Earth, a dream she had been chasing since 2012,” her family’s statement read. “Combs was one of the rare dreamers with the bravery to turn those possibilities into reality, and she left this earth driving faster than any other woman in history.”

Combs had been dubbed the “fastest woman on four wheels” in 2013 after competing in the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger and hitting the record speed of 398 mph. She went on to unofficially shatter that mark, topping 483 mph in subsequent followup runs, though those efforts were not considered official because of mechanical issues, Autoblog reported.

From L-R - Host Chip Foose and co-hosts Jessi Combs and Chris Jacobs participate in a panel for Velocity's program "Overhaulin'" during the Discovery Communications cable television sessions at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California August 2, 2012. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT PROFILE MEDIA) (Photo: Phil McCarten / Reuters)

Adam Savage, former co-host of “Mythbusters” was among those expressing grief over her sudden death on social media on Wednesday.

Praising her skills as an “engineer, driver, fabricator, and science communicator,” he said in a tweet that “we are lesser for her absence.”

Valerie Thompson, who earned the title of “fastest woman on two wheels” for her speeds on motorcycles, shared on Twitter a photo of her and Combs together and said she “also had the chance to attempt this record but it wasn’t my turn.”

“This hits home for me,” she added.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Also on HuffPost

Toni Morrison

The trailblazing author Toni Morrison, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, died on August 5, 2019 at the age of 88.
The trailblazing author Toni Morrison, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, died on August 5, 2019 at the age of 88.

Harold Prince

Harold Prince, a Broadway director and producer who pushed the boundaries of musical theater with such groundbreaking shows as “The Phantom of the Opera,” ″Cabaret,” ″Company” and “Sweeney Todd” and won a staggering 21 Tony Awards, died on July 31, 2019. Prince was 91.
Harold Prince, a Broadway director and producer who pushed the boundaries of musical theater with such groundbreaking shows as “The Phantom of the Opera,” ″Cabaret,” ″Company” and “Sweeney Todd” and won a staggering 21 Tony Awards, died on July 31, 2019. Prince was 91.

Chris Kraft

Chris Kraft, who created NASA’s Mission Control and made split-second white-knuckle decisions from the first daring Mercury mission to the triumphant moon landings, died on July 22, 2019. He was 95.
Chris Kraft, who created NASA’s Mission Control and made split-second white-knuckle decisions from the first daring Mercury mission to the triumphant moon landings, died on July 22, 2019. He was 95.

John Paul Stevens

John Paul Stevens, a moderate Republican and former antitrust lawyer from Chicago who evolved into a savvy and sometimes passionate leader of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing and became the third- longest-serving justice on the court before he retired in 2010, died on July 16, 2019. He was 99.
John Paul Stevens, a moderate Republican and former antitrust lawyer from Chicago who evolved into a savvy and sometimes passionate leader of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing and became the third- longest-serving justice on the court before he retired in 2010, died on July 16, 2019. He was 99.

Rip Torn

Rip Torn, the tenacious, temperamental Texan whose much-admired career was highlighted by his brilliant turn as Artie the producer on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show," died on July 9, 2019. He was 88. 
Rip Torn, the tenacious, temperamental Texan whose much-admired career was highlighted by his brilliant turn as Artie the producer on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show," died on July 9, 2019. He was 88. 

Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca, who served as the president of Ford Motor Company and later became CEO of Chrysler, died on July 2, 2019. He was 94.
Lee Iacocca, who served as the president of Ford Motor Company and later became CEO of Chrysler, died on July 2, 2019. He was 94.

Tyler Skaggs

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on July 1, 2019. He was 27.
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on July 1, 2019. He was 27.

Judith Krantz

Bestselling romance novelist Judith Krantz, who sold more than 85 million books, died on June 22, 2019 at the age of 91. 
Bestselling romance novelist Judith Krantz, who sold more than 85 million books, died on June 22, 2019 at the age of 91. 

Franco Zeffirelli

Franco Zeffirelli, whose opulent set designs and sweeping directorial style bolstered operatic films, religious epics and Shakespearean love stories, died on June 15, 2019. He was 96.
Franco Zeffirelli, whose opulent set designs and sweeping directorial style bolstered operatic films, religious epics and Shakespearean love stories, died on June 15, 2019. He was 96.

Leah Chase

Legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase, who fed generations of New Orleanians and tourists alike at Dooky Chase’s restaurant, died on June 1, 2019. She was 96.
Legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase, who fed generations of New Orleanians and tourists alike at Dooky Chase’s restaurant, died on June 1, 2019. She was 96.

Thad Cochran

Navy veteran and former Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) died on May 30, 2019 at the age of 81.
Navy veteran and former Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) died on May 30, 2019 at the age of 81.

Herman Wouk

Herman Wouk, whose taut shipboard drama “The Caine Mutiny” lifted him to the top of the best-seller lists, where he remained for most of a career that extended past his 100th year thanks to page-turners like “Marjorie Morningstar,” “Youngblood Hawke” and the World War II epics “The Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance,” died on May 18, 2019. He was 103.

I.M. Pei

I.M. Pei, the Chinese American architect who designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the JFK Library in Boston, died on May 16, 2019 at 102. 
I.M. Pei, the Chinese American architect who designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the JFK Library in Boston, died on May 16, 2019 at 102. 

Tim Conway

Tim Conway, the comedian’s comedian best known for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” died on May 14, 2019. He was 85.
Tim Conway, the comedian’s comedian best known for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” died on May 14, 2019. He was 85.

Doris Day

Doris Day, a singer and actress who personified wholesome American womanhood in the 1950s and 1960s, died on May 13, 2019. She was 97.
Doris Day, a singer and actress who personified wholesome American womanhood in the 1950s and 1960s, died on May 13, 2019. She was 97.

Jim Fowler

Jim Fowler, who co-hosted Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" with Marlin Perkins and was a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show," died on May 8, 2019. He was 89.
Jim Fowler, who co-hosted Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" with Marlin Perkins and was a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show," died on May 8, 2019. He was 89.

Peter Mayhew

Actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the "Star Wars" series, died April 30, 2019 at the age of 74.
Actor Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in the "Star Wars" series, died April 30, 2019 at the age of 74.

John Singleton

John Singleton, 51, whose powerful debut film, “Boyz N the Hood,” earned him an Oscar nomination for best director, the first for an African-American, died on April 29, 2019.
John Singleton, 51, whose powerful debut film, “Boyz N the Hood,” earned him an Oscar nomination for best director, the first for an African-American, died on April 29, 2019.

Richard G. Lugar

Richard G. Lugar, a six-term senator from Indiana who became one of the foremost voices on U.S. foreign policy, died on April 28, 2019. He was 87.
Richard G. Lugar, a six-term senator from Indiana who became one of the foremost voices on U.S. foreign policy, died on April 28, 2019. He was 87.

Nipsey Hussle

Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed on March 31, 2019. He was 33.
Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed on March 31, 2019. He was 33.

Birch Bayh

Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Ind.), who pushed for the landmark 1972 federal law banning discrimination against women in college admissions and athletics, died on March 14, 2019. He was 91.
Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-Ind.), who pushed for the landmark 1972 federal law banning discrimination against women in college admissions and athletics, died on March 14, 2019. He was 91.

Hal Blaine

Drummer Hal Blaine, who propelled dozens of major hit records during the ‘60s and ‘70s as a member of the “Wrecking Crew,” Hollywood’s elite, ubiquitous cadre of first-call studio musicians, died on March 11, 2019. He was 90.
Drummer Hal Blaine, who propelled dozens of major hit records during the ‘60s and ‘70s as a member of the “Wrecking Crew,” Hollywood’s elite, ubiquitous cadre of first-call studio musicians, died on March 11, 2019. He was 90.

Luke Perry,

Luke Perry, who burst onto the TV scene and countless fan-magazine covers in 1990 as one of the core cast members of the hit show “Beverly Hills, 90210,” then went on to a busy career in television and film that included, most recently, the CW series “Riverdale,” died on March 4, 2019 at the age of 52.
Luke Perry, who burst onto the TV scene and countless fan-magazine covers in 1990 as one of the core cast members of the hit show “Beverly Hills, 90210,” then went on to a busy career in television and film that included, most recently, the CW series “Riverdale,” died on March 4, 2019 at the age of 52.

André Previn

André Previn, 89, a composer of Oscar-winning film music, conductor, pianist and music director of major orchestras, died on February 28, 2019.
André Previn, 89, a composer of Oscar-winning film music, conductor, pianist and music director of major orchestras, died on February 28, 2019.

Katherine Helmond

Katherine Helmond, who received seven Emmy Award nominations for her varied roles in television comedies, including “Soap” and “Who’s the Boss?,” died Feb. 23, 2019 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 89.
Katherine Helmond, who received seven Emmy Award nominations for her varied roles in television comedies, including “Soap” and “Who’s the Boss?,” died Feb. 23, 2019 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 89.

Peter Tork

Peter Tork of the Monkees died Feb. 21 at the age of 77.
Peter Tork of the Monkees died Feb. 21 at the age of 77.

Don Newcombe

Former MLB MVP Don Newcombe died on Feb. 19, 2019. He was 92.
Former MLB MVP Don Newcombe died on Feb. 19, 2019. He was 92.

Lyndon LaRouche Jr.

Lyndon LaRouche Jr., the political extremist who ran for president in every election from 1976 to 2004, including a campaign waged from federal prison, died on Feb. 12, 2019. He was 96.
Lyndon LaRouche Jr., the political extremist who ran for president in every election from 1976 to 2004, including a campaign waged from federal prison, died on Feb. 12, 2019. He was 96.

Albert Finney

British actor Albert Finney, 82, who carved an independent path in the theater and in films, portraying Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot, a Southern lawyer in “Erin Brockovich” and an Irish mob boss in “Miller’s Crossing,” died on Feb. 7, 2019.
British actor Albert Finney, 82, who carved an independent path in the theater and in films, portraying Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot, a Southern lawyer in “Erin Brockovich” and an Irish mob boss in “Miller’s Crossing,” died on Feb. 7, 2019.

John Dingell Jr.

Former Rep. John Dingell Jr. (D-Mich.), the longest-serving member of Congress in history, died on Feb. 7, 2018 at age 92.
Former Rep. John Dingell Jr. (D-Mich.), the longest-serving member of Congress in history, died on Feb. 7, 2018 at age 92.

Frank Robinson

Frank Robinson, 83, the first and only player to win the MVP award in both the National and American leagues and the MLB's first African-American manager, died on Feb. 7, 2019.
Frank Robinson, 83, the first and only player to win the MVP award in both the National and American leagues and the MLB's first African-American manager, died on Feb. 7, 2019.

Rosamunde Pilcher

Bestselling novelist Rosamunde Pilcher, 94, who sold more than 60 million books around the world, died on Feb. 6, 2019.
Bestselling novelist Rosamunde Pilcher, 94, who sold more than 60 million books around the world, died on Feb. 6, 2019.

Kristoff St. John

Actor Kristoff St. John, a longtime cast member of  CBS’ “Young and the Restless,” was found dead at his San Fernando Valley home in California on Feb. 3. He was 52. 
Actor Kristoff St. John, a longtime cast member of  CBS’ “Young and the Restless,” was found dead at his San Fernando Valley home in California on Feb. 3. He was 52. 

Michel Legrand

French composer Michel Legrand, 86, who wrote over 200 film and TV scores and won three Academy Awards, died on January 26, 2019.
French composer Michel Legrand, 86, who wrote over 200 film and TV scores and won three Academy Awards, died on January 26, 2019.

James Ingram

James Ingram, one of the biggest stars in R&B music in the 1980s and ’90s, and a double Grammy winner and two-time Oscar nominee, died on Jan. 29, 2019 at age 66.
James Ingram, one of the biggest stars in R&B music in the 1980s and ’90s, and a double Grammy winner and two-time Oscar nominee, died on Jan. 29, 2019 at age 66.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.