A LEGEND LIVES ON

Jessi Combs: An Inspiration We’ll Never Forget

- MERCEDES LILIENTHAL

On Aug. 27, 2019, we lost one of the most influential and endearing offroad automotive greats: Jessi Combs. Inspirational in many respects, Jessi Combs was fearless, compassionate, funny and dedicated to making a difference. This one-of-a-kind woman, who died at the young age of 39, left us too soon, but the impact she made on the world is felt by all, especially those who got to ride alongside her in life. Her encouragement and influence helped women excel in their non-traditional careers, take chances on new paths, and retain resiliency to forge ahead and face challenges head-on.

Jessi was a talented welder, fabricator, offroad racer and prominent TV personality on shows like “Overhaulin’,” “Xtreme 4×4” and “Mythbusters.” Her physical life ended while trying to beat her own land speed record of 483 miles per hour and attempting to top Kitty O’Neill’s 1976 record of 512.7 mph at Oregon’s Alvord Desert, but her spiritual life will continue to inspire many for years to come.

According to a press release from the Harney County Sheriff’s office, “a mechanical failure of the front wheel, most likely caused from striking an object on the desert” caused the front wheel assembly to collapse on the jet-powered North American Eagle. This, in turn, led to the crash that occurred at speeds near 550 mph, according to the sheriff’s office.

Even though Jessi is physically no longer with us, her spirit will carry on. She was a huge advocate for women in skilled trades and a role model to young children, no matter their gender. No matter how busy Jessi was, she took time to chat with people interested in meeting her. In her mind, she wasn’t a celebrity; she was just another girl doing what she believed in.