This type of rush may come with a price says Chad Hovsepian who drove from Melbourne with his family to watch the sport. "Racers are definitely pushing the limit with speed and horsepower, so yeah it's definitely a risk for them but I think they all know it."

 

Its a risk that took the the life of funny car driver Eric Medlen. One day after Gatornationals in 2007, Medlen crashed during a test run and later died. Because while it may look like a video game the sport is very real and it does have it's dangers. Nate cross with the autoplus raceway here in gainesville says that's the reason events like these were made. To prevent risky things such as illegal drag racing." 

 

Nate Cross, Sales & Marketing Manager, for Autoplus Raceway says, "They can be very dangerous, we don't want anyone to get hurt. And that's why we have certain credentials that will get people into various areas around the race track and the facility."

 

These cars go at about 300 miles per hour, making nhra drag racing the fastest sport on earth. Alexis DeJoria, an eight year funny car racer says it's a risk she's willing to take. "I make sure there's no holes in my gloves, you know... We go through stuff pretty fast. Just make sure all my safety gear is intact," DeJoria said.

 

West Brown has been drag racing with his friends for more than 15 years. "Technically safety is the first thing. He doesn't go down the track unless everything is perfect," he said.

 

And all the bulky safety equipment, well they wear it for a reason. "We have to have the hands device, we have to have a fire suit that is good for 30 seconds or more. We run nitro-methane fuel and it requires a heavier suit than some of the racers use," Brown said. 

 

While accidents do happen, this year's event has been running pretty smoothly cross with Autoplus Raceway tells me. Each race team has to have their belts and helmets certified every year to make sure there's no flaws, among other requirements. And as for the fans the sheriff's office has been out here all afternoon controlling traffic.