Car races are a huge part of the American experience. NASCAR, the biggest franchise in America for the sport, may be considered a niche interest by some, but its cultural impact and dedicated fans cannot be denied. Driving laps around a track competing with many other cars lends itself to all kinds of strategy and management. While many race fans live for this kind of excitement, there’s a whole other experience that promises pure power: jet racing.

There are actually two types of jet cars. The standard version uses a jet engine to accelerate. A jet dragster is more directly pulled by a jet. Either way, these cars are the fastest in the world. Most land speed records have been set by jet cars, thanks to their incredible acceleration rates. Some are able to reach speeds of 300mph within a quarter mile, and it’s possible to go from 0-100mph in under one second.

These huge speeds don’t lend themselves to the standard kinds of long races we’re used to seeing at NASCAR events, but you can still see them race shorter distances as an attraction at race events. Race fans of any age owe it to themselves to watch these amazing machines in person.

On the scientific side of things, some universities now have programs applying engineering skills to continue pushing the limit of what these cars can do. With brilliant minds applying their skills and knowledge to these projects, the power, speed and awe inspiring designs of jet cars will continue to progress as technology moves forward.