Getty Jessi Combs pictured in 2012.
Jessi Combs is the professional race car driver, fabricator and TV personality who was tragically killed on August 27 at the age of 39 while attempting a land speed record in a jet-powered vehicle in Oregon. Combs was affectionately referred to as “the fastest woman on four wheels.”
Combs’ death was confirmed in an Instagram post from her team member, Terry Madden. Madden wrote that Combs, a native of Rapid City, South Dakota, was killed in a “horrific accident.”
Madden later posted a video to his personal Facebook page that showed that the pair were in a relationship.
Combs had been attempting to beat her own 4-wheel land speed record when she was killed in the Alvord Desert. The previous record, set by Combs in 2013, was 398 miles per hour. Combs drove a North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger, a modified F-104 jet with 52,000-horsepower, to achieve her record on a 13-mile course. In doing so, Combs broke the record held by Lee Breedlove. It had stood since 1965.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Terry Madden Recently Said That Combs ‘Changed His Life’ & ‘Is the Hands Down the Best Friend I Could Have Asked for’
Three weeks before Combs’ tragic passing, Terry Madden wrote a beautiful message to her on his Instagram page. In it, Madden said that Combs had “changed his life” and was “hands down the best friend I could have ever asked for.” Madden said that he didn’t care if the two wound up together or if they were just best friends for life. He added, “I know that we will sit on the porch when old and tell #rockingchairstories about this rad life.”
One friend wrote a touching note to Madden on his Facebook page on the day Combs’ death was announced. The friend said in part, “I could tell that you had an amazing love for one another just by the pics of you both, the looks in both of your eyes is what everyone wants to someday find!”
2. In the Days Before Making Her Record-Breaking Attempt, Combs Wrote on Twitter: ‘People Say I’m Crazy. I Say Thank You’
It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire… those who are willing, are those who achieve great things. .
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People say I’m crazy. I say thank you ;)
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#fastestwomanonearth #almost #fasterthanfast #jetcar #afterburner #landpsee… t.co/IrnCQQWMGJ
On August 24, Combs posted a photo of the car she was planning to drive in order to achieve the new record. Combs wrote in the caption, “People say I’m crazy. I say thank you ;).”
It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire… those who are willing, are those who achieve great things. .
.
People say I’m crazy. I say thank you ;)
.
.
.
#fastestwomanonearth #almost #fasterthanfast #jetcar #afterburner #landpsee… t.co/IrnCQQWMGJ
KTVZ reports that the Harney County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene of the crash at around 4 p.m. on August 27. The station described the crash as occurring on a dry lake bed in the southern part of Harney County, not far from the Steens Mountain. The women’s land speed record on a three-wheel vehicle was set at the dry lake in 1976 by Kitty O’Neill.
According to her official website, Combs graduated from the Wyoming Technical Institute in 2004 where she finished top of her class in the Collision and Refinishing Core Program. As a result of her exemplary performance at the school, Combs says her first job was with the marketing department of the Wyoming Technical Institute.
3. Combs Suffered an Accident in 2008 That Should Have Left Her Wheelchair-Bound
During her storied career, Combs was also a skilled welder and even had her own line of women’s welding gear. Combs was also a TV host, hosting “Mythbusters” for a season while Kari Byron was on maternity leave. Between 2005 and 2009, Combs was featured on the Spike TV show, “Xtreme 4×4.”
Combs decided to leave the show following an accident. In a section on her website, Combs said that she was “folded in two” by a larget piece of machinery that had fallen on her.” That led to Combs burst fracturing her spine’s L3. Combs says that thanks to surgery, therapy and “a little help from God,” she made a full recovery in eight months. The bio says that the accident should have left her wheelchair-bound.
In 2012, Combs was named as the co-host of “Overhaulin'” for the show’s sixth season alongside Chris Jacobs. According to Combs’ IMDb page, she appeared in a 2018 episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” and was in the midst of shooting a movie titled, “Interviewing Monsters and Bigfoot,” alongside Canadian comedian Tom Green.
4. Combs Finished in 1st Place in the 2016 King of the Hammers Off-Road Race
Combs was known for competing in renowned off-road events such as the Baja 1000 and the King of the Hammers. In addition, Combs has competed at the Rallye des Gazelle, the only off-road all-female race. In 2016, Combs won first place in the King of the Hammers while with the Savvy Off-Road Team.
5. Combs Has Been Described as a ‘Valuable Role Model for Women in Motorsport
In a tribute to Combs, Jalopnik described her as providing “a valuable role model for other women in motorsport and hands-on automotive work.” As news of Combs’ tragic passing spread, many took to social media to express their sadness. Here are some of the most poignant messages:
I’m so so sad, Jessi Combs has been killed in a crash. She was a brilliant & too-notch builder, engineer, driver, fabricator, and science communicator, & strove everyday to encourage others by her prodigious example. She was also a colleague, and we are lesser for her absence.
I am so, so sorry to hear this news. R.I.P. Jessi Combs. You were a hero to both men and women. What a sweetheart you were!!!
Stunningly sad news, race car driver, fabricator and TV car personality Jessi Combs was killed yesterday in Oregon while attempting to equal a 483 mph land speed record she set previously….and her vehicle crashed. @KNX1070. RIP Jessi….she was 36.
We are shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about #JessiCombs. She was killed yesterday when her jet car crashed while attempting to break her own land speed record. Jessi was a good friend to all of us here at Edelbrock. Our condolences go out to her family and fans.
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