Two of Competition Eliminator’s more seasoned drivers gained an experience they hoped would never come during the second round of the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals.
Clark Smiley lost control of his BB/Altered Grand Am as he chased down Keith Hall’s C/Super Modified entry. He caught Hall and posted a 7.190 before his entry abruptly turned left and went into the other lane. Smiley made impact with Hall before crashing into the retaining wall.
Both cars came to a stop in the shutdown area, where the drivers emerged from their race cars under their own power.
“I just was going down the track, and everything’s normal. It was going straight, and clutched it, shut off the engine,” Smiley explained. “Went to get on the parachute lever, and it was sideways instantly. And then it was all over from there.”
Hall, who saw Smiley at the last minute, said he did everything he could to avoid the incident.
“It just happened so fast,” Hall said. “I didn’t have time, but I tried to miss him. I saw him come in front of me, and I turned to the right, or tried to, as fast as I could.”
Hall hit Smiley’s rear tire, and it almost came through his windshield.
“It could have been worse,” Hall surmised.
