NHRA Get Screened America Pro Modified driver Harold Laird said he wouldn’t wish his recent experience on anyone.

Laird was one of three Pro Modified drivers who crashed at the recently completed NHRA
O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in St. Louis.

The veteran doorslammer driver from Pride, La., lost control of his supercharged 1963 Corvette just shy of the finish line, crossed into the opposite lane ahead of opponent Kenny Lang and rolled the car on its roof. He made contact with the retaining wall before sliding to a stop.
Independent Team Forced to Sidelines with Crash …

NHRA Get Screened America Pro Modified driver Harold Laird said he wouldn’t wish his recent experience on anyone.

Laird was one of three Pro Modified drivers who crashed at the recently completed NHRA
O’Reilly Midwest Nationals in St. Louis.

The veteran doorslammer driver from Pride, La., lost control of his supercharged 1963 Corvette just shy of the finish line, crossed into the opposite lane ahead of opponent Kenny Lang and rolled the car on its roof. He made contact with the retaining wall before sliding to a stop.

Laird emerged with only a sore chest. He considers himself lucky that was the extent of his injuries.

“The safety equipment did its job,” Laird said. “Tim [McAmis] builds a great car and the fact I walked away is a testament to the safety of these cars.”

Laird was one of three cars damaged in separate accidents over the course of the weekend. The accident, according to Laird, will likely put his team on the sidelines indefinitely.

“I get to live to be with my child and beyond that nothing else matters,” Laird explained. “I may not race for a while because I don’t have the funding to build another car. We’re a small family team and we had our lives in this car.

“I thank God and He’s the reason I am still here. There’s no other reason. I give the glory and the thanks for as far as I have made it in Pro Modified.”

Laird said the car drifted out of the groove and that’s what precipitated the accident.

“When the right tire got out of the groove, it wanted to spin while the left tire was still grabbing,” Laird recalled. “Then it turned left. It happened all so quickly, so it’s hard to remember what happened step-by-step.”

Laird understands that many question the logic of running a breed of race car which obviously, at times, has a mind of its own.

“I know they know we are crazy,” Laird said. “It’s like trying to tame a wild animal that’s beyond controlling. That’s what we do. That’s what we love to do. We take that risk and we know the risks involved.” 

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