NHRA J&A Service Pro Modified racer Dan Stevenson emerged unharmed from one of the most frightening and devastating fires ever endured by a doorslammer racer.

Stevenson, from Bolingbrook, Illinois, was making his opening qualifying lap at the NHRA Gatornationals in Florida on Friday afternoon opposite of Gerry Capano when his nitrous-assisted, Reher-Morrison-powered Camaro encountered a nitrous explosion about 400 feet off the starting line. The flames, evident from the front wheel well openings, grew exponentially as the car crossed the finish line and steadily became a blaze of 1990’s Funny Car proportions, fully engulfing the entire race car as Stevenson wrestled to bring it to a stop. By the time the Safety Safari arrived, the gorgeous Camaro was billowing flames and smoke from front to rear.

Stevenson was checked out by NHRA on-site medical personnel and then transferred to University of Florida Shands Medical Center for additional evaluation before being released. Thecae itself, however, didn’t fare as well. The composite front end completely melted, and the passenger side of the car was left fully charred. What we can’t see in post-accident photos is the damage internally, which was likely quite extensive. The fire is another setback for Stevenson, who captured the highlight reels nearly one year ago at Atlanta when his Camaro darted over the centerline and hit the guardrail.