Cool Bus

It has been a staple at Nitro Jam and Thunder Jam events for nearly a decade and after years spent wowing fans across the country, the “Cool Bus” is beginning to earn its place in modern pop culture.

Designed to provide a thrilling experience for younger fans and encourage kids to stay in school, the “Cool Bus” is a one-of-a-kind exhibition drag racing vehicle that was hand crafted by Ken Nelson several years ago. The bus is 20 feet long and six feet wide and has one of the longest wheelbases of any wheelstander in the country. Designed to look like a modern school bus, all lights and flashers operate in the same manner as a real school bus and it also features a regulation yellow and black paint scheme with the words “Cool Bus Fun System” on the side.

The “Cool Bus” is powered by a rear mounted big block Chevrolet engine producing roughly 1,000 horsepower which propels the machine down the quarter-mile at over 100 miles-per-hour. In addition to full-track passes on only its rear tires, the “Cool Bus” also lights up the sky with a fireworks display positioned at the front of the bus.

With no way to guide the unique racing machine when its nose is in the air, Ken is forced to drive the bus using a complicated brake system. He also operates the pyrotechnics display from his seat and views the track through an opening in the floor of the bus.

To cap things off Ken and Anita’s creation also features a passenger that accompanies Ken on every pass down the racetrack. Her name is Wilma and she is a doll that sits in the front passenger seat to the thrill of young race fans. The Nelson family also owns a yellow hauler designed to look like a school bus and sells merchandise through the window of a school bus front end.

Put it all together and you have one of the most unique and exciting attractions in drag racing today.