Since leaving his Tonight Show desk, former late night talk show host Jay Leno has enjoyed a new career in automotive-centric television, hosting his popular CNBC show, Jay Leno’s Garage. But filming of a recent episode went a bit awry, as evidenced by video footage of a heart-stopping rollover car crash.
The video is entertaining only because we know that everyone emerged fully intact with no injuries save for a few bruises and perhaps a shaken-up ego or two. In the video, Leno is taking a ride with 80-year-old veteran stunt driver Bob Riggle at California’s Irwindale Speedway. Their aim for the episode was to get the 2,500-horsepower vehicle up on hits back two wheels – a trick Riggle is known for having perfected over his decades of experience.
"This has been on my bucket list since I was a kid, ever since it stood up in 1965. The Hemi Under Glass has been the king of the wheelstanders at dragstrips all across the country," Leno said. "And now nearly 50 years later, he's the only 80-year-old guy who can regularly get it up — you know, on two wheels."
In perhaps a bit of unintended fate tempting, Jeno joked just before starting the stunt: "Twenty-five hundred horsepower on two wheels — what could go wrong?"
Turns out a lot could – and did – go wrong. Riggle hit the gas and the car's front wheels shot up as planned. But while navigating a sharp turn, he loses control and they flip multiple times with cameras rolling. Fortunately, once the smoke cleared, all was well. Neither Riggle or Leno was hurt, though the same couldn’t be said of their ride.
If you missed the episode, see the clip below and post your thoughts on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook Fan Page.
