For any race car driver, the thrill of being behind the wheel also means the threat of being involved in a serious crash.

Patrick Sheltra survived a monstrous accident when the 22-year old Florida native driver raced in the season-opening race of the ARCA RE/MAX series at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway in February.

Sheltra was running third with six laps to go at Daytona, when fourth place competitor Justin Lofton accidentally made contact with Patrick’s No. 60 Ferguson Pipe-Buffalo & Rings Dodge Charger. The impact caused Patrick’s car to steer towards the wall, but there was more contact that followed.

Larry Hollenbeck, in the No. 23 car, never slowed down for the incident and plowed into the side of Sheltra. The crash caused Sheltra to suffer a compressive fracture in his fourth vertebrae and a dislocated kneecap. Sheltra also had several bruises and lacerations from the incident.

“That was the worst wreck, I ever been in,” Sheltra recalled. “That was the first time where I got injured so bad that I had to be hospitalized.”

The disastrous accident wasn’t enough to keep Sheltra off the track. With a nearly eight week break until the second ARCA race of the season, Sheltra was allowed to heal from his injuries in time to compete in the Kentuckian Ford Dealers 200 at the Salem Speedway on April 5.

Once Sheltra was medically cleared to return to stock car competition, Sheltra joined up with his team’s shop in Whitesville, Kentucky where the Sheltra Motorsports team participated in a private test at Salem Speedway.

During the practice sessions leading up to the race, Sheltra delivered a career-best qualifying effort. The third-year ARCA driver carried over the momentum when he surged to his first career victory in 48 career ARCA series starts.

“It was just a great comeback story after all I went through,” Sheltra said. “It was an awesome feeling and it was great for my crew and my sponsors. I told everyone we were coming there that weekend to win and we did it in spectacular fashion.”

Before racing on asphalt, Sheltra was known for his exploits as a dirt track racer which he started doing when he was 14. As he became more seasoned, Sheltra built the reputation as one of the bravest dirt track racers of the South and earned the nickname “Mr. Showtime.”

“I got that name because I had one of the top teams on the track and I was a threat to win anytime I raced,” Sheltra said. “Also, the fans enjoyed the excitement I brought to the race.”

Sheltra is hoping to once again finish in victory lane when he competes in this weekend’s Carolina 200 at Rockingham Speedway. Last season, Sheltra started 12th at the inaugural Carolina 500, but finished 34th.

Sheltra got entangled in a multi-car accident that clobbered the rear of his No. 60 Chevrolet Monte SS, which eventually led to a dead motor ending his day. Sheltra is adamant that things will be different at the Rock this time around.

“We had a good test at Rockingham, and the car we are bringing back there for the race is very good,” Sheltra said. “The guys have worked hard and I know that I have an even stronger car than last year. I’m looking forward to hopefully coming out on top this weekend.”

n Contact sports reporter Corey Davis at 997-3111, ext. 44; e-mail cdavis@yourdailyjournal.com