Watch: Beloved Pikes Peak Legend Destroyed In 714-Foot Tumble

The video above shows the horrific moment Old Smokey hit the ditch at speed, with an impact strong enough to send the car flying off the edge. Birdsall knew he was carrying too much speed to make it around the corner. "I tried to hook the ditch, and that was too aggressive as it just shot the truck in the air and went off."

Despite the traumatic accident, Birdsall says it's probably a good thing the diesel-powered monster went off the road when it did, as it is far steeper around the corner, with rockier terrain. "[It's] really a no-win situation all the way around, and my worst nightmare as a Pikes Peak racer has always been this exact scenario."

The violent impact launched Old Smokey into the air, with the first impact occurring 175 feet down the embankment. In total, the truck rolled 714 feet down the mountain pass before coming to a rest. Thankfully, Birdsall escaped unscathed - but the same can't be said of his beloved truck.

Sadly, Old Smokey's Pikes Peak days are over. "The truck is too far gone to fix for racing again, but I may attempt to resurrect it to a street truck. For now, Rest In Peace, Old Smokey F1," concluded Birdsall. We can't imagine just how gutted the expert wheelman is feeling, but we're relieved that he's alive. After the impact, he even gave a thumbs-up to the in-car camera.

In 2020, Old Smokey brokethe record for diesel-powered vehicles, with Birdsall navigating the intricate road in 11:24.065. Powered by a 1,400-horsepower 6.7-liter Cummins diesel motor, Old Smokey received a new lease on life thanks to a compound turbo, racing suspension, upgraded pistons, and a host of other performance enhancements - not bad considering it started out as a $225 beater.

Hopefully, we will see the truck return in some other form. But we will always remember this crazy creation and its incredible exploits on Pikes Peak.