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In an unfortunate accident, famous NASCAR driver Jason Leffler met with his demise on Wednesday night during a heat race at a dirt car event at Bridgeport Speedway.
Leffler was involved in a car crash on the Bridgeport Speedway in NJ and sustained serious injuries. His car was totally wrecked and he was airlifted to the nearest hospital where he breathed his last.
The reason for the crash is unclear. However, NJ State Police are investigating the matter.
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Bridgeport Speedway was quick to restrict all racing activity for the remainder of the night following the untimely death of the racer at the 0.625-mile, high-banked dirt oval.
Leffler, just 37, who was nicknamed “LefTurn” was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m. ET, as per reports provided by New Jersey State Police.
NASCAR offered their sympathies with respect to their racer’s death.
“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.”
Leffler, who began his career in 1999 , made 423 starts in NASCAR’s three national series, having won two Nationwide races and one Truck Series event.
A statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway called Leffler “one of the most versatile race drivers in America, showing his talent by competing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during his career.”
The last time that Leffler had a full NASCAR season was in 2011, but unfortunately finished in sixth position that season and hasn’t been part of the NASCAR ride since. Nevertheless Leffler has been involved in racing dirt car most of this year, including the 410 Sprint Car race worth $7,000 in prize money, on Wednesday.
Before his foray into NASCAR, he won three consecutive USAC Midget championships from 1997 to ’99. Stewart-Haas Racing, company owned by his mentor Tony Stewart tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Jason Leffler. A good man; a good racer. Godspeed friend.”
Leffler, who hails from Long Beach, California, is survived by his 5-year-old son, Charlie Dean.
Source: ESPN NASCAR
