Images: Hot Rod Blog

The Grand National Roadster Show is set to kick off this weekend, but preparations are already in order when it comes to some of the nicest hot rods the country has to offer. Unfortunately, while the show is yet to officially open, there’s already been an incident that not only left a well-known judge injured but also crushed the dreams of one hot rod owner, according to Hot Rod Magazine‘s Blog.

On Wednesday, January 22^nd, Thom Taylor of Hot Rod reported that while approaching the viewing area to be judged in his roadster, one contender was faced with a stuck throttle, resulting in the man losing control of his prized vehicle. With the throttle stuck, the car sped toward the doors of the Pomona, California Fairplex event complex where it crashed through the glass after running over GNRS judging chairman Vic Cunnyngham.

According to an update by GNRS promoter John Buck, Cunnyngham was airlifted from the GNRS as a precaution but checked out at the hospital with no broken bones. Cunnyngham’s resulting injuries from the accident are said to be serious but not life-threatening. Obviously, the roadster is in pretty rough shape.

For more information and images of the incident and its aftermath, be sure to visit Hot Rod‘s blog. And always, ALWAYS remember to make sure your throttle linkage is free before cranking over your prized ride!