Jay Leno Banged Up in Wheelie Car Flip

By Chris Chase

Jun 25, 2016

Cool Stuff / Fun Stuff / Pop Culture

Summary

Jay Leno gets tossed around by a 1960s drag racer

In the latest installment of his Jay Leno's Garage video series, the former late-night TV host gets to ride shotgun in the 2,500-hp "Hemi Under Glass" drag racer, driven by legendary stunt driver Bob Riggle.

The modified Plymouth Barracuda featured in the video had its supercharged Hemi V8 in the back, under the back window. That weight distribution meant the car could pull off effortless wheelstands, proudly displaying that massive engine and wowing spectators.

Jay says taking a ride in the car has been on his "bucket list" since he was a kid, so he's obviously excited by the prospect of seeing what the car can do, first-hand. "Twenty-five hundred horsepower -- what could go wrong?" asks Jay, just before Bob lights it up, around the 3:00 mark. Well, he soon finds out. Thankfully, no one is hurt, except the car -- and perhaps Riggles' pride.

Meet the Author

As a child, Chris spent most of his time playing with toy cars in his parents’ basement or making car sounds while riding his bicycle. Now he's an award-winning Algonquin College Journalism grad who has been playing with real cars that make their own noises since the early 2000s.