Michael Satterfield
NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died after an accident yesterday night while racing at Bridgeport Speedway.
The 37-year-old Leffler, who had seen some success in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m. according to New Jersey State Police.
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| A photo taken from the scene where NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died after a dirt car event accident on June 12, 2013 at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey. / CHRISTOPHER TAITT |
“NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler who passed away earlier this evening,” NASCAR said in a statement. “For more than a decade, Jason was a fierce competitor in our sport and he will be missed.”
A Long Beach, California native, Leffler made 423 starts in NASCAR’s three national series, he also drove for three races in the IndyCar Series and finished 17th in the 2000 Indianapolis 500.
Lefflers death comes just a little over two weeks after 22-year-old driver Josh Burton died of injuries sustained in a crash at Bloomington Speedway in Indiana. In late May at Nevada’s Reno-Fernley Raceway, two drivers were killed in a race. It all highlights how quickly the world of racing can turn on you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Leffler family, his friends, and teammates.
Source: NASCAR/ AP
