Virginia Racer Killed In Dragway Crash

An independent account posted from the track on DragRaceCentral.com said Martindale’s car was loose off the starting line, causing him to engage and back off the throttle several times. After the apparent engine failure, Martindale’s chutes reportedly failed to deploy, and his car made contact with the left side retaining wall. The car then traveled through the sand trap, through the catch fence, and came to rest in the forest behind it, sparking a fire.

Martindale was estimated to be running at around 180 miles an hour when the accident occurred.

Martindale was a veteran drag racer, and was ranked 11th in the Division 2 points standings when the accident occurred.

The event was halted immediately after the accident to allow the Banks County Sheriff’s Department and NHRA officials to begin conducting an investigation into the accident.
Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman said Martindale’s body was sent to the GBI crime lab in Atlanta to determine the cause of death.

“It was a very tragic accident,” Chapman said.

Martindale's death is the first on the Commerce quarter mile track since Jerry Gannon was killed in a jet car crash in June of 2002.

Martindale is survived by his wife Geraldine and other family members.