In drag racing, or any form of racing really, you literally have to be prepared for anything to go wrong at any split second. Be it at 20 miles per hour or 200, that statement means exactly as it reads…anything.

Fortunately, nostalgia racer Ken Hawkins was well prepared — or certainly did a great job of selling it that he was — at a recent Southwest Junior Fuel Association meet at the Ardmore Dragway in Oklahoma, when the transmission in his front engine dragster dumped fluid all over the rear tires just a few feet off the starting line, sending him on a beeline across the centerline just aft of the christmas tree. Of course one doesn’t often expect things to go sour that early in a run, but hey, stuff happens.

Hawkins did a hell of a job reigning the wayward dragster in and, luckily, his competitor was already pulling away at that point, allowing him to safely cross over without fear of a collision.

Along with a certifiable atta-boy for Hawkins’ up-on-the-wheel driving, we also must give a hand to that video camera that was placed out on the racing surface. Hawkins’ dragster punted the camera as only legendary NFL kicker Morten Anderson could, sending it tumbling down the racing surface. And yet, after the melee, the camera keeps on recording like a champ.

Thanks to Nick Coker for the tip!