Nascar bloopers: here comes the boom!

8 August, 2016

A bizarre situation unfolded during the Nascar Xfinity series race at Watkins Glen over the weekend of August 6–7. Derrike Cope’s No. 70 Chevrolet Nascar was coasting through the bus-stop zone, when something under the bonnet of his vehicle exploded, blowing the bonnet off and bursting a tyre. 

Nascar are said to be impounding the car and will examine the remains to figure out what exactly went wrong, to prevent such failures in the future. 

“In my 35 years of racing, I’ve never experienced anything like that,” driver Derrike Cope said. “It blew up in my face.”

It’s still not quite clear as to what happened, but maybe you have some ideas, so let us know in the comments below. 

Hiroshima Express

One of the rarest Mazdas,and amongst one of the rarest production cars in the World, a 1967 Series 1, Cosmo made its public debut at the 2025 Cromwell Classic and Hot Rod Car Show on Saturday January 18 this year.
After a challenging 5-year restoration, its proud Cromwell owner, Mike Elford celebrated its appearance along with Dunedin specialist, Mazda rotary engine builder, Cory Wilson who trallered the car through to the show.
“There are a number of details still to attend to and fine-tune the engine and then it will at last be finished. I’m very pleased with the result,” Cory said.
Mike is extremely pleased with the end now in sight of what has been a very challenging project. The tiny jewel of Japanese motoring engenuity attracted many on-lookers at the show as it sat glistening in the sun on an appropriately brilliant Central Otago summer’s day.

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.