John Shoemaker, 65, a veteran drag racer from Sacramento, Calif., died Saturday from injuries suffered when his Nostalgia Top Fuel dragster crashed at the end of a pass during the first qualifying session during the Bakersfield March Meet in Bakersfield, California. 

Shoemaker, who had just run a 6.11 elapsed time at 249 mile per hour pass, failed to slow following the finish line and went off the end of the track.  John Shoemaker, 65, a veteran drag racer from Sacramento, Calif., died Saturday from injuries suffered when his Nostalgia Top Fuel dragster crashed at the end of a pass during the first qualifying session during the Bakersfield March Meet in Bakersfield, California. 

Shoemaker, who had just run a 6.11 elapsed time at 249 mile per hour pass, failed to slow following the finish line and went off the end of the track. 

Shoemaker was airlifted to Kern Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Shoemaker had competed in a variety of dragsters during his 42-year drag racing career, and was a former Division 7 Alcohol Dragster Champion. 

Shoemaker is survived by his wife Judee and a son Jim.

We at Torco's CompetionPlus.com offer condolences to the Shoemaker family and their friends.