Jessi Combs was a metal fabricator, professional racer, and television personality who became known as “The Fastest Woman on Four Wheels” after setting a women’s land speed record of 398 mph in 2013—and posthumously breaking it again in 2019 at 522.783 mph.

EARLY YEARS

Born July 27, 1980, in Rockerville, South Dakota (part of the Black Hills near Rapid City), Jessi grew up with a lifelong desire to become a race car driver. Her family explored the outdoors constantly, instilling in her a solid appreciation for off-roading and racing in many forms. Speed was in her blood—her great-grandmother was Nina DeBow, a jazz pianist who raced Stanley Steamers. After graduating from Stevens High School in 1998, Combs enrolled at WyoTech, where she studied Collision/Refinishing, Chassis Fabrication, Street Rod Fabrication, and Trim/Upholstery. She graduated top of her class in 2004 with a degree in Custom Automotive Fabrication and was immediately hired to build a 1964 Mercury Cyclone from the ground up—affectionately titled the “Super Cyclone”—to showcase at the SEMA show and charity auction.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond racing and fabrication, Jessi was a creative force who loved metalworking, leathercraft, and photography. She could dream up anything and create it with her own hands. In 2014, she co-founded Real Deal Revolution with Theresa Contreras, a movement to empower more women in the automotive and skilled trades. Beginning in 2008, Combs acted as a spokesperson for Lincoln Electric and helped develop its line of women’s protective welding gear—because, as she put it, “Girls are different.” She even wrote a children’s book, *Joey and the Chopper Boys*, about a little girl who loves motorcycles and has to move from her small town to the city. She was also a mentor and advocate, proving that the welding machine doesn’t know—or care—that you’re a woman.

EARLY SUCCESS

Jessi’s television career kicked off in 2004 with guest fabricator appearances on *Overhaulin’*. From 2004 to 2008, she co-hosted *Xtreme 4×4* on Spike TV for over 90 episodes, becoming a beloved figure in the automotive world. After appreciating her time on the show—and surviving a freak accident in 2007 when machinery folded her in two—Combs chose to move on in pursuit of other opportunities. She went on to appear on Discovery’s *MythBusters* and *Break Room*, as well as *All Girls Garage* on Velocity. Her natural charisma and no-nonsense approach made her someone fans could vicariously live through—and an inspirational figure they could root for.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2004: Graduated top of her class from WyoTech with a degree in Custom Automotive Fabrication and was hired to build a 1964 Mercury Cyclone for SEMA.
• 2004–2008: Co-hosted *Xtreme 4×4* on Spike TV for 90+ episodes.
• 2011: Placed second in class at the SCORE Baja 1000.
• 2013: Drove the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger to a record 398 mph with a top speed of 440 mph, becoming “The Fastest Woman on Four Wheels.”
• 2014: Ultra 4 Spec Class National Champion with Falken Tire.
• 2015: Placed second in class at the SCORE Baja 1000.
• 2016: Took first place in King of the Hammers with the Savvy Off Road team.
• 2017: Finished 12th in the Ultra4 Unlimited class at King of the Hammers. Made history as the first female Grand Marshal of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, hosting the 77th annual event. Piloted the #80 Ford F-150 in the 50th anniversary edition of the grueling 1,134-mile Baja 1000.
• 2018: Finished 1st in Stock class and 3rd overall in the Every Man Challenge at King of the Hammers.
• 2019: Posthumously awarded the women’s land speed record of 522.783 mph after her fatal crash in the Alvord Desert, Oregon, on August 27, 2019.

INSPIRATIONS

Combs was inspired by Kitty O’Neil, who set the women’s land speed record of 512 mph back in 1976. When the North American Eagle team added Jessi as driver in 2013, she was chasing a record that had stood for nearly four decades. Her great-grandmother Nina DeBow—a jazz pianist who raced Stanley Steamers—also showed her that women had always belonged in the driver’s seat. Jessi’s mantra was simple: “People say I’m crazy. I say thank you.” She believed that those who are willing are those who achieve great things.

REPUTATION

Jessi Combs was widely known in the niche sport of jet car racing and beloved across the motorsports and fabrication communities. She was often called the automotive “It Girl,” a trailblazer who mentored others and fearlessly advocated for women in male-dominated industries. Her desire to become a professional driver resonated deeply with fans, making her both a vicarious hero and an inspirational figure. In 2021, she was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s Hall of Fame. In 2023, WyoTech inducted her into its inaugural Hall of Fame class. An HBO Max documentary, *The Fastest Woman on Earth*, chronicled her seven-year quest to break the land speed record. The Petersen Automotive Museum honored her with a special exhibit titled “Jessi Combs: Life at Full Speed” in September 2019, just weeks after her death.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Jessi Combs died on August 27, 2019, in the Alvord Desert, Oregon, while attempting to break the all-time women’s land speed record. The crash, which occurred at speeds near 550 mph, was later determined to have been caused by a front-wheel mechanical failure, most likely after her vehicle hit an object on the desert floor. She was 39 years old. She is survived by her mother Nina Darrington, father Jamie (Sandy) Combs, brother Kelly Combs, and other family members. Her legacy continues through The Jessi Combs Foundation and Real Deal Revolution, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025, continuing to support women in skilled trades.

REFERENCES

About | Jessi Combs Official
Jessi’s Legacy – The Jessi Combs Foundation
Jessi Combs | In Memoriam | Women in Welding
Jessi Combs – Wikipedia
Remembering Jessi Combs – The “Fastest Woman on Earth”
Jessi Combs Death Investigation: Cause of 550-mph Crash in Alvord Desert Determined
Driver/Racer | Jessi Combs Official
Jessi Combs – Motorsports Hall of Fame
Real Deal Revolution | Empowering Women in Skilled Trades
Jessi Combs – Class of 2021 Kickstands Down Award
Real Deal Revolution Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Supporting Women in Skilled Trades
Meet Jessi Combs – Voyage LA Magazine
Jessi Combs- 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee – WyoTech
Jessi Combs Honored With Special Exhibit at Petersen Automotive Museum
Jessi Combs’ Fatal Crash In Oregon Desert Caused By Mechanical Failure