An Old Timers Race Near Tragedy

What started as a nostalgic nod to NASCAR’s past almost turned deadly. In 2010, the Bristol Legends race brought a field of fan favorites back behind the wheel — but when Charlie Glotzbach drove through Larry Pearson’s car, the fun stopped cold. Pearson doesn’t remember the impact, only the pain, the surgeries, and a long, humiliating recovery that tested every inch of his pride.

• He woke up on a stretcher, screaming at Ricky Rudd not to let them give him an IV.
• Six surgeries later, Pearson had broken both knees, a hip, an ankle, ribs, and a hand.
• His wife had to bathe him outside with buckets of hot water — stairs were impossible.
• And yet… he says he’d do it again. In a heartbeat. Just for the feeling.

It wasn’t about glory, or money, or even winning. Pearson just missed the weight of the wheel, the fight through the corner, the feeling. That addicting sensation that every driver chases and few truly let go of. He’ll never walk the same again — but ask him if it was worth it, and you won’t hear a second of regret.

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