The NASCAR world is mourning the death of driver Jason Leffler, who was killed Wednesday night in a crash in a dirt car event at the 5/8-mile, high-banked Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway oval.
Leffler, 37, was a two-time winner on the Nationwide Series. He was pronounced dead at 9:02 pm ET, according to New Jersey State Police.
“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.”
According to various media reports, Leffler was driving a sprint car at the speedway’s “Night of Wings,” when it flipped on the track’s front stretch. He was extracted from the wreck by rescue personnel and airlifted from the track in a helicopter.
The rest of the night’s racing was canceled by track promoters.
Leffler made 73 starts in the Sprint Cup Series. On Sunday, he finished last at Pocono in his only Sprint Cup start of the year.
Leffler is survived by Charlie Dean, his 5-year-old son.
“Really sad for Jason Leffler and his family,” NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski said on Twitter. “Thinking about his little boy.
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