That's the only way to do it. Haul it to track after hours and $ of prep, have good expectations and haul broken stuff home - worse when it's a long drive to-from track.
Oh yeah, if you're gonna play seriously ya need to have contingency plans and equipment.
I learned that in my shop once - starting a a newly installed engine - had a fuel leak - didn't leak test fuel system before energizing it - fortunately, I remembered to bring fire extinguisher to vehicle and leave drivers side door open. Unfortunately, the fire extinguisher only and a 20-B rating and needed about a 60-B. Ended up putting in out with the garden hose. Took a full week to clean up wiring and hoses. Fortunately, all was recoverable and nobody hurt.
You can be sure there's a 60-B rated extingiusher at the large door now. That's something I never wanted to spend good tool buying money on - but, when you need one, you'll want a monster.
Too bad the guy tore his car up - hopefully, he didn't get hurt. Good deal you didn't - yours could have easily been much worse taking a hit from another car than his rolling wreck was.