It begins innocently enough–a 1993 Nissan 240SX and 1926 Ford pickup pull up to the starting line at the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine. Down drops the green and off go the racers. Into the first turn, the 240SX has the good fortune of being on the inside corner of the simple rectangular track, but that counts for little as the overpowered Ford quickly takes the lead. The truck comes out of the first turn with nothing but wide open track between it and the checkered flag. Easy enough, right?

The hot rod, using what appear to be racing slicks, has a very noticeable traction slip all throughout the course and eventually pays for it coming out of the second turn. The truck’s trajectory veers a little too much to the left and the driver is forced to compensate by steering right. That’s when things go south as the vehicle points straight at the wall and starts sliding out of control.

The ensuing crash knocks out a decent chunk from the front of the Ford, as it spins 360 degrees and comes to a stop facing the wall (the Nissan, meanwhile, deftly drifts past the wreckage before turning around to come and help the driver). It’s clearly out of commission, and the race is over.

The hot rod’s driver emerges looking okay, prompting cheers and applause from the crowd. Though the damage will definitely put a damper on things later on, it helps to think of that old saying: any crash you can walk away from is a good crash.

What do you think caused the crash? Poor planning of the truck’s specs prior to racing? Track conditions? Or just pure driver error? Post your two cents below.