Veteran doorslammer racer “Mean” Dean Marinis was uninjured in a terrifying, high-altitude crash during the opening round of Pro Nitrous eliminations at the PDRA DeCerbo Construction American Doorslammer Challenge presented by Callies Performance at the Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

Marinis, driving his Harry Pappas-owned, Pat Musi Racing Engines-powered 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, had qualified second in the tight field with a 3.661 and was racing alongside Ed Burnley in the opening stanza when he lost control near the 1/8-mile finish stripe and spun around at the close of a 3.65-second, 204 mph lap. As air got under the rear valance of the car, it took flight, soaring some 20-feet above the racing surface and turning over in mid-air before crashing down onto the left-lane guardrail. Marinis came to rest upside down against the wall and crawled from the wreckage under his own power. He was transported to a nearby medical facility for evaluation.