By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Coming into turn 1 at the end of Road America's long straightaway, the Vanishing Point Challenger got loose, went into the infield grass, and then hit the tire-pile on the outside wall hard enough to fly up right on top of it. Driver Erich Heuschele was unhurt, but the damage, as you can see, was pretty catastrophic. The team says the Challenger is out of the race, which is terrible news. But astonishingly, we saw the car shortly after our own run leaving the track under its own power—and passing us! There was some speedy-dry in the car's panels when I photographed it on the wrecker, but it didn't seem to be dumping fluids. Maybe they'll be able to patch it up and run it without the front clip, NASCAR-style. What do you think: is this it for the Challenger, or will we see it again down the road? Take a good look at the carnage after the jump and decide for yourself.

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