Vern LaFave remembers the fiery scene at Oswego Speedway.

"I knew I only had a little bit of time to get out,” said LaFave, a Philadelphia resident. “And my hands were burning so bad that I couldn't feel my belt."

On June 22nd, he crossed the finish line in second place, bumped another supermodified car, and ricocheted into the wall in turn one. He says he was driving 130 miles per hour, and when he hit the fence, the fuel pump broke and burst into flames.

"I finally got a hold of my belt and got to the top of the cage and my foot got caught,” said LaFave. “At that point it was either now or never."

He says it was like sitting in the middle of a campfire, but the Oswego Speedway safety crew got him out. Last week, he went back to the track and thanked them.

"You know, they saved my life,” LaFave said as his eyes welled up. “That's what they do."

After more than 40 years of racing, he returned to Oswego Speedway this season after a few years away. He says his state-of-the art fire suit and helmet helped him survive.

"don't fall in love with your race car,” said LaFave. “It’s here today gone tomorrow, and if you have any sentimental value in it, this isn't the place to be. You buy them to protect you and go fast."

LaFave is recovering at home now after about a week in the hospital with third degree burns on his hands, arms and elbows. The 60-year-old driver is also dealing with limited vision from trauma behind his eyes.

"I believe in fate and it wasn’t my day,” said LaFave. “I did everything right, And that's all you can do. The rest is out of your hands"

The crash burned his skin and totaled his car, but it didn't take LaFave's spirit.

LaFave says Oswego Speedway has the best fans. He's thankful for all the love and support he's received since the crash, and he's already in the market for a new car to race when he fully recovers.