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Jessi Combs

Jessi Combs was an American professional racer, television personality, and metal fabricator.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jessi Combs was an American professional racer, television personality, and metal fabricator. She became known for setting women’s land speed records and was widely described as the “fastest woman on four wheels.” She died in 2019 during a jet-powered land-speed record attempt in Oregon.

Early life

Jessi Combs was born on July 27, 1980, and was from South Dakota. Sources describe her as developing an early interest in speed, machinery, and racing.

Racing career

Combs gained prominence through land-speed racing and set a women’s four-wheel land speed record in 2013, later surpassing her own mark in 2016. She was popularly referred to as the fastest woman on four wheels. She was associated with the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger project.

Television and fabrication work

In addition to racing, Combs was a television personality and metal fabricator. Her career combined automotive expertise, fabrication, and on-screen work.

Death and legacy

Combs died on August 27, 2019, in the Alvord Desert in Oregon during a high-speed record attempt. In 2020, Guinness World Records posthumously recognized her as the female land-speed record holder.

Key facts

  • Combs set a women’s land speed record in 2013 and improved it in 2016.
  • She was killed while attempting to beat her own land speed record in a jet-powered car in 2019.
  • Guinness World Records posthumously recognized her with the female land-speed world record in 2020.
  • She worked in motorsports, television, and metal fabrication.
  • She was associated with the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger project.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jessi Combs?
She was an American professional racer, television personality, and metal fabricator best known for women’s land speed records.
What was Jessi Combs known for in racing?
She was known for setting women’s land speed records and for being called the fastest woman on four wheels.
How did Jessi Combs die?
She died in 2019 during a jet-powered land-speed record attempt in the Alvord Desert in Oregon.
Did Jessi Combs hold a land speed record?
Yes. She set a women’s four-wheel land speed record in 2013 and broke her own record in 2016.
Was Jessi Combs recognized after her death?
Yes. Guinness World Records posthumously recognized her as the female land-speed world record holder in 2020.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessi_Combs
    Supports: Birth and death dates, occupations, nickname, land speed records, and death during a record attempt.
  2. BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49504222
    Supports: Career overview, record attempt details, nickname, and circumstances of death.
  3. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm2235568/bio/
    Supports: Biographical details including birthplace, land-speed record figures, and death information.
  4. Motorsports Hall of Famehttps://www.mshf.com/Jessi-Combs-10-1607637.html
    Supports: Summary of her land speed records and recognition in motorsports.