Larry Pearson talks about his vintage NASCAR crash

During a recent ESPN interview, Larry Pearson spoke about his crash and recovery in a recent NASCAR nostalgia race. We have always wondered about vintage racing and the safety. If they would not allow race cars with that safety level today, should they be raced at all?

“I saw his eyes and they looked very big. I’m sure it was a shock for him to see me as much as it was a shock for me to see him and I’m sure my eyes were big too … I can laugh about it now but it was so funny … I looked and I’m wondering ‘surely he's not going to hit me."

“When I was sliding down the track, I didn't have any brakes. My brakes were gone. I guess when the tire blew it got the brake line so I was pumping the brakes trying to stop and it wouldn't stop.

“I am not mad at anybody. It happens. I knew that going into it. Anything can happen but (pause) right now (pause) I wouldn't put out doing it again but I would have to fight my family for that."

“Looking at the accident, I mean pictures of it, there is no way I should have survived that wreck so there is a purpose for me to be here. I just have to find out what it is but I can tell you that I will be a whole lot nicer, not that I’m mean. I will be more family orientated. If I see someone broke down on the side of the road, I will stop.

“When you are laying up in the hospital like that wondering why you were spared you go through a lot of emotion. I probably have cried more in the last three or four weeks than I have cried in my entire life but that’s a good thing. I don't know exactly what the good Lord has got for me but … I’m glad I will be able to change my ways."