So how about that, front wheel flew off!

I'll go with the simplest theory - the simplest explanation is usually the most plausible one.

Did the same thing myself once - but on the rear wheels.

Coming back from the drags with my '72 Cuda I felt a funny vibration and some strange noise coming from the rear wheels. Pulled over and found only a couple of very loose lug nuts holding each of the rear wheels on, chewed up wheel studs and elongated holes in my wheels. At the track when I took my slicks off and put my my street tires back on for the drive home I must of simply forgot to torque them down.