NHRA names safety task force

The National Hot Rod Association has named the members of a safety task force created to investigate, analyze and determine ways to implement added safety measures in drag racing.

The move comes in the wake of the death of longtime racer Scott Kalitta in a Funny Car crash on June 21.

The task force is headed by Dan Olson, NHRA director of Top Fuel and Funny Car racing. He is joined by Austin Coil, crew chief for John Force Racing; Jim Head, Funny Car driver/crew chief; Alan Johnson, crew chief for the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster; Jon Oberhofer, crew chief for Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta; Mark Oswald, co-crew chief on Melanie Troxel's Funny Car; and Tim Wilkerson, Funny Car driver/crew chief.

Other representatives from NHRA and the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) will also participate.

"This task force provides a more structured process for NHRA, together with crew chiefs within the racing community, to tackle emerging technical issues and find solutions to build upon the sport's long-standing safety record," said Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations for NHRA.