Northeast Outlaw Drag Radial racer Francis Johnson had a hot night in more ways than one on Friday night at the Maryland International Raceway, as his nitrous-fed 2000 Pontiac Firebird lit up into a raging inferno in the staging lanes prior to making a qualifying pass for the evening’s race.

Johnson, a local racer from Mechanicsville, Md., right in MIR’s backyard, had just made the turn around the corner from the staging lanes and was to be the next pair of cars to roll into the waterbox when the car caught fire and quickly turned from a small flame to a four-alarm blaze. Reports are that a loose fuel line caused the fire, which caught everyone by surprise due to the rare circumstance of where it occurred. Fortunately, the MIR staff employs a second fire and rescue implement near the starting line, which kept this fire from being a significantly worse situation.

What really makes this story amazing is that Johnson, after this huge blaze that one would think would have singed the car and every wire and hose it has in it, immediately headed back to his pit and went to work to get the Firebird ready for the first round of eliminations. And not only did he and his crew get the car back on track, but Johnson actually advanced to the semifinals with the big block nitrous-powered car, but fell to eventual runner-up Richie Stine with an off-pace 7.47. But it ran, with the nose, hood scoop, and windshield all clearly charred from the flames. But as well know, looks don’t win drag races. Nevertheless, that the car wasn’t damaged beyond immediate repair and could run under its own power after such a fire is an impressive story in and of itself.

Credit to the guys at TheRacingVids for the footage!