“Mythbusters” stars Adam Savage, Kari Byron and Tory Belleci were among those paying tribute to the late race car driver Jessi Combs following after she died in a crash on Tuesday.
“She was a brilliant & too-notch builder, engineer, driver, fabricator, and science communicator, & strove everyday to encourage others by her prodigious example,” Savage wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. “She was also a colleague, and we are lesser for her absence.”
Jay Leno, who hosted the driver on an episode of his CNBC show, “Jay Leno’s Garage,” also paid tribute to Combs on Twitter, writing, “Your memory lives on.”
Known as “The fastest woman on four wheels,” Combs died while trying to break her own 398 mph land-speed record in a dry lake bed in an Oregon desert. In addition to her stint as a temporary co-host of Discovery’s “Mythbusters” in 2009, Combs also appeared on a number of TV shows dedicated to racing and automobiles, including Velocity’s “Overhaulin’” and the Spike TV series “Xtreme 4×4.”
Those who encountered Combs in her career as a driver and TV personality remembered her as a “badass” driver, a passionate contributor to her industry and a hero to many.
“The Discovery and MotorTrend family is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Jessi Combs,” Discovery said in a statement. “She was a friend and colleague, an icon in the industry, and an undeniable force of nature who left an indelible mark on the car world. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”
So sad to hear about Jessi. She was a badass. Always pushing limits. Sending smiles into the universe for her. @mythbusters https://t.co/H2gEtN5U0e
— Kari Byron (@KariByron) August 28, 2019
I’m so so sad, Jessi Combs has been killed in a crash. She was a brilliant & too-notch builder, engineer, driver, fabricator, and science communicator, & strove everyday to encourage others by her prodigious example. She was also a colleague, and we are lesser for her absence.
— Adam Savage (@donttrythis) August 28, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1t6C4cg6ZE/
In memory of the fastest woman on four wheels.
Your memory lives on. pic.twitter.com/ztY8F18oMO
— Jay Leno (@jayleno) August 28, 2019
Rest in peace, Jessi Combs. Your energy, passion, and love of life on 2 wheels left a mark on so many. You will not be forgotten. ? pic.twitter.com/lj7zRWEM4Q
— Harley-Davidson (@harleydavidson) August 28, 2019
I am so, so sorry to hear this news. R.I.P. Jessi Combs. You were a hero to both men and women. What a sweetheart you were!!! pic.twitter.com/fBOefQWk9o
— Rikki Rockett (@RikkiRockett) August 28, 2019
R.I.P Jessi Combs ?? pic.twitter.com/41Z5wdRXVI
— Adrienne Janic (@AdrienneJanic) August 28, 2019
her dreams and setting records! She may be gone, but she’ll never be forgotten. Our industry lost an icon today, once again RIP Jessi Combs
— Richard Ray Rawlings (@RRRawlings) August 28, 2019
OMG!
What an absolute tragedy.
Such an inspiration for those to do what you dream of doing and breaking down every obstacle in front of you to triumph.
Rest In Peace the fabulous #JessiCombs https://t.co/kwse7o5mHv— Roberto Abramowitz (@RobAbramowitz) August 28, 2019
Godspeed Jessi ?? #RIP #nowords @TheJessiCombs pic.twitter.com/b85fpYG1Bc
— Cristy Lee (@CristyLee09) August 28, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1tjyb_hLgf/
We have lost an incredible person in our world. I woke up to very sad news that Jessi Combs is no longer with us. I will always remember how great of person and inspiration she was to so many men and women alike! She broke barriers and constantly achieve… https://t.co/KmHoeriDM7 pic.twitter.com/9NkxaSfHkG
— Vaughn Gittin Jr. (@VaughnGittinJr) August 28, 2019