This happened when the driver hit the R button mistakenly at the end of the dragstrip going 120mph. After hitting R at speed the reworked TFs would lock up including the rear causing the car to skid into a guardrail, etc. It happened quite a few times in that time period.
He was the top ace for the U.S. and was one of the most decorated pilots of WW II. Got all of his "kills" in P-38s.