Stevens’ Passion for Racing Undeterred After Fiery Crash

James Stevens has competed in the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Alcohol Dragster races for nearly three decades, winning his first national event in 2018, and ranking in the top 15 for multiple years in a row. This spring at Pomona Raceway in California, he survived a catastrophic wreck that he continues to recover from. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery, courtesy of Stevens family)
James Stevens has competed in the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Alcohol Dragster races for nearly three decades, winning his first national event in 2018, and ranking in the top 15 for multiple years in a row. This spring at Pomona Raceway in California, he survived a catastrophic wreck that he continues to recover from. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery, courtesy of Stevens family)

You never know when a life altering moment is about to occur. On April 11, James Stevens took his place at the starting line in Pomona, California, competing in the 2026 NHRA Lucas Oil Winternationals, although he couldn’t tell you what his final thoughts were before the green light flashed. Just a few seconds into the future, he would be at the end of the quarter mile racetrack upside down and hanging from the safety fence, momentarily engulfed in flames.

Nearly 40 minutes would pass before family, friends and spectators would get the news that he had been extracted from the twisted chunk of metal that no longer resembled a car - alive, but seriously injured. James’ own memory of the event wouldn’t begin until nearly a week and a half later.

The wreck dominated headlines nationwide, prompti…