Dramatic 'funny car' explosion during race sends debris into stands (VIDEO)

Fans escaped serious injury Saturday at the ZMax Speedway in Concord, N.C. when the whole body of a "funny car" broke loose from its chassis and flew into the stands.

The accident happened when an engine explosion caused the carbon fiber body to tear free of a car driven by Robert Hight competing at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals. The car's body flew over a group of fans watching trackside, injuring two fans, neither seriously. Both were treated and released at the track clinic. Fortunately for other spectators, a railing about five feet in front of the grandstand absorbed most of the blow.

Hight finished the race uninjured.

"I asked where the body landed and they said, 'In the stands.' ... But they came back to me real quick and said no one was injured and everybody is good," Hight said after the near tragedy. "That's not what you want (to) have happening."

Instead of racing in the  traditional side-by-side drag races with two cars, four cars compete at one time.

NHRA Funny Car explodes in middle of race

Funny Car leader Jack Beckman was OK after his engine exploded in the middle of his first qualifying heat during the opening round of the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif..

Beckman was racing against Ron Capps when his Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger blew up and engulfed his car completely in flames.  Car parts flew like shrapnel all over the track.

The amazing thing is that Beckman hopped from car and actually walked away from the wreck on his own two feet.  Luckily, he was wearing a fire suit and surrounded by a cage inside the flaming car — which can reach speeds of up to 320 mph.

To get an intense driver's view check out 0:57 of the video.