The final round of Sunday’s NHRA J & A Service Pro Modified Drag Racing Series Spring Nationals at Baytown, Texas, was just as ugly and scary as Friday's qualifying sessions were.

Jim Whiteley, an alternate in the 16-car field because Jonathan Gray's car was damaged beyond repair Friday, won the trophy by default as Rickie Smith’s IDG Camaro went out of control and crisscrossed the track and hit both walls.

Smith’s car, staring in the left lane, was in trouble at the outset of the run. As soon as he stepped on the throttle, Smith shot across the center lane on two wheels and cut in front of Whiteley. He hit the wall and darted across the center line again. The car continued on back into the left lane, then zig-zagged into the right lane and came to a stop.

Whitley had nowhere to go and stopped on the track behind Smith’s car. Smith was disqualified and Whitley declared the winner. All Whitley had to do was launch; he was not required to cross the finish line.   

Neither Smith nor Whiteley was hurt.

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