Unbelievable clip captures moment father rushed onto track to save his son from burning race car
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: ABC News
This is the moment a Speedway driver was saved by his father after his car set on fire on the track.
Mike Jones' car began spiralling out of control after he collided with another driver at the South Boston Speedway in 2018.
His vehicle crashed into the walls before going up in flames after the accident.
Trapped in the car, flames could be seen engulfing the bonnet - but it didn't stop Mike's dad, Dean Jones, from leaping over a fence surrounding the track to rescue his son.
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Wearing just a t-shirt and shorts, Dean ran over to the vehicle before dragging his son out of the burning car.
Even after he had taken his son safely to the sidelines, he went back to the car to help the track teams put out the fire as an ambulance arrives on the scene.
People were quick to comment on the video, with many emotional over Dean's determination to save his son.
One wrote: "When you hold your boy for the first time you know instantly you would die for him without a thought. It doesn't change when they get older."
While another said: "This was so touching... witnessing a father's fearlessness in the face of his child being in mortal danger is an awesome thing to experience. "Beautiful, and if he is being punished, I am certain he believes with all his heart it is absolutely worth it."
A third added: "EVERY father should be willing to give their life for their children", while a fourth wrote: "That is how a man takes care of business.
"His son was in danger, he didn't care about his lack of safety gear, but used the time he got there early to rip his son out of the car, before even managing to safely reach back in and deploy the fire suppression system in the car.
"A quick response from a dad protecting his son might have helped his team succeed in another race later too. Dean Jones is the dad's name, DAD OF THE YEAR!"
Following the incident, Dean was placed on probation for the rest of the season, but track officials say he was not fined or suspended.
"We have sat down with Mr. Jones and discussed what transpired on Saturday, and he fully understands our position on non-safety personnel entering the track surface during an event," said track officials at the time.
"We are all grateful that there weren't any injuries, and we look forward to getting back to racing."