Thirty seconds led to the longest five months of Jason Hamstra’s life.

Hamstra was crossing the finish line during the Speedtech Battle for the Belts competition last October when he lost control of his Camaro and drove head-first into the retaining wall at Texas Motorplex [Ennis, Tex.] before sliding to a stop in the shutdown area.

Hamstra was transported by helicopter to nearby Parkland Hospital, where doctors checked him and save for some bumps and bruises was given a clean bill of health.

The one area the doctor’s couldn’t check was the young driver’s psyche and the mental issues associated with a devastating high speed crash.

Thirty seconds led to the longest five months of Jason Hamstra’s life.

Hamstra was crossing the finish line during the Speedtech Battle for the Belts competition last October when he lost control of his Camaro and drove head-first into the retaining wall at Texas Motorplex [Ennis, Tex.] before sliding to a stop in the shutdown area.

Hamstra was transported by helicopter to nearby Parkland Hospital, where doctors checked him and save for some bumps and bruises was given a clean bill of health.

The one area the doctor’s couldn’t check was the young driver’s psyche and the mental issues associated with a devastating high speed crash.

Hamstra returned to competition for the first time during the ADRL Dragpalooza, the first 2010 event for the sanctioning body.

“It feels good to be back out here,” Hamstra said. “I’m still getting used to driving again. That first lap I missed the shift light and that kind of messed up the whole run but I’ll get used to it again. It’s just taking some time.”

For five months, the last drag racing memory Hamstra could remember was the season-ending accident. The experience brought him to the line a bit gun-shy for Friday’s opening lap.

“You’re better off just to get the car fixed as quick as you can and go make some passes again,” Hamstra explained. “We weren’t able to do that. You just have more time to take out of it and that’s not necessarily a good thing.”

Garret Race Cars immediately went to work on a new 1969 Camaro following the accident. The car was completed weeks before the ADRL season-opener and given an inspiring paint scheme by Olson Paint & Body in Peru, Ind.

Hamstra was given the Best Appearing Award for this weekend's event.

As beautiful as Hamstra’s new Camaro is, he’s learned the Pro Extreme cars can have an ugly side. He learned the hard way last October they can go from happy to angry in 3.78 seconds.

“These cars are temperamental, they’re tough to drive,” admitted Hamstra, who was qualified fourth after three sessions on Friday. “That can happen at any time. I think that they’re about the hardest cars that there are to drive. When I wrecked the car wasn’t doing anything that was unusual.

“When it gets upset, you had better show it respect because it will come out from under you in a hurry. Once it starts walking sideways you’ve got to shut it off or you’re taking your life into your own hands.”