Physicist Bob Lazar Recalls His Drag Racing Past

From UFOs to high-speed jet cars, the scientist's life has taken some unexpected turns.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:55pm

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A blurred image of a high-speed jet car in motion, with streaks of bright colors representing the raw power and danger of Lazar's drag racing past.The high-speed jet car that physicist Bob Lazar raced in the 1980s, reaching speeds over 280 mph, reflects his background in advanced automotive engineering.Los Alamos Today

In a wide-ranging interview, physicist Bob Lazar discusses his little-known history as a drag racer in the 1980s, including a chance meeting with legendary driver Don Garlits and a harrowing experience racing a jet-powered car in Mexico. Lazar also recounts how his involvement in the drag racing world led to an unexpected connection with physicist Edward Teller and ultimately a job at the mysterious S4 facility.

Why it matters

Lazar's background as both a scientist and a daredevil racer provides a unique perspective on his controversial claims about working on alien technology at Area 51. This interview sheds light on the unexpected twists and turns of Lazar's life and career, challenging the common perception of him as solely a UFO whistleblower.

The details

In the 1980s, Lazar raced a jet-powered dragster with a Westinghouse J34-WE-36 engine, reaching speeds of over 280 mph in the quarter-mile. He obtained an NHRA exhibition license for high-speed driving and competed for a couple of years until a series of harrowing incidents, including a parachute failure in Mexico, convinced him to stop racing the jet car. Lazar also recounts a chance meeting with legendary driver Don Garlits, who flew to Las Vegas to meet him, and a separate encounter with astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who called Lazar to hang out. Lazar's involvement in the drag racing world ultimately led to a connection with physicist Edward Teller, who helped Lazar land a job at the mysterious S4 facility.

  • In 1986, Lazar raced a jet-powered dragster.
  • Lazar raced the jet car for a couple of years until around the time the guy who trained him crashed.
  • Lazar had a harrowing experience racing the jet car on a bumpy track in Monterey, Mexico, in the late 1980s.
  • The following weekend, Lazar had another parachute failure while racing in Las Vegas, prompting him to stop high-speed racing.
  • Lazar met physicist Edward Teller at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the late 1980s, which led to Teller helping Lazar get a job at the S4 facility.

The players

Bob Lazar

A physicist who has made controversial claims about working on alien technology at Area 51, and who also had a past as a drag racer in the 1980s.

Don Garlits

A legendary drag racer known as "Big Daddy" who flew to Las Vegas to meet Lazar and discuss their shared interest in racing and UFOs.

Edgar Mitchell

An astronaut who was the sixth person to walk on the moon and who called Lazar to hang out and discuss their shared interests.

Edward Teller

A renowned physicist known as the "father of the H-bomb" who helped Lazar get a job at the mysterious S4 facility after Lazar had a chance encounter with Teller at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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What they’re saying

“Hey, it's Don Garlits. He flew to [Las] Vegas and we hung out. He was interested in UFOs and the technology. The fact that we shared an interest in racing really fused us together. What a nice guy.”

— Bob Lazar, Physicist

“Hey, what are you doing on Wednesday or Thursday night? Can I come over and we can have a couple of drinks?”

— Edgar Mitchell, Astronaut

“You're an interesting young man.”

— Edward Teller

What’s next

Lazar continues to be a controversial figure, with his claims about working on alien technology at Area 51 still debated by the scientific community. As he reflects on his unexpected past as a drag racer, it remains to be seen how this aspect of his life will further shape the public's perception of him.

The takeaway

Bob Lazar's life has taken some unexpected turns, from his work as a physicist to his daring exploits as a drag racer in the 1980s. This interview provides a unique window into the multifaceted nature of Lazar's background and challenges the common portrayal of him solely as a UFO whistleblower, revealing the surprising twists and turns that have defined his unconventional career.