autoevolution 31 May 2021, 13:40 UTC ·
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This weekend s PDRA DeCerbo Doorslammer Challenge saw veteran racer Mean Dean Marinis go through a terrifying crash in his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro-based dragster. Despite the car hitting both barriers and rolling over a few times, Marinis crawled from the wreck unhurt. 1 photo Mean Dean joined the Pro Nitrous event at the Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, in his Harry Pappas-owned 1969 Camaro. He qualified second for the opening round by driving the Pat Musi Racing Engines-powered dragster to a 3.66-second run and lined up against Ed Burnley for another go at the 1/8-mile sprint.
Things went smooth for the first couple of seconds, but Marinis lost traction just as he was crossing the finish line. One of the rear tires apparently hit a no-traction zone, and the Camaro went sideways before hitting the right-side wall with the rear fender. The impact sent the car flying and spinning almost 20 feet into the air.