NASCAR driver Jason Leffler, 37, has died after an accident at a dirt car event on Wednesday night at Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, N.J. Leffler was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m., New Jersey State Police said. The accident is under investigation.
Leffler was involved in an accident while competing in a heat race in the 410 Sprints division on the 0.625-mile dirt oval. Leffler had to extricated from his vehicle, according to NBC10Philadelphia.
A posting on the track's Facebook page said the remainder of the racing scheduled for Wednesday was postponed because of the accident.
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NASCAR released a statement late Wednesday: "NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler who passed away earlier this evening. For more than a decade, Jason was a fierce competitor in our sport and he will be missed."
"We are very saddened at the passing of Jason Leffler," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway COO J. Douglas Boles. "He was 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.
"He also displayed the skills that would help him reach the top levels of the sport by winning four USAC national series titles while winning on tracks throughout the Midwest. Jason was a terrific guy who always had time for everyone. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his entire family, team and fans."
Before embarking on a stock car career, Leffler starred as a sprint-car driver, winning four United States Auto Club championships and being inducted into the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.
Leffler was single and is survived by a 5-year-old son, Charlie Dean.
Several NASCAR drivers and others expressed their sorrow on Twitter.
Stewart-Haas Racing, which is owned by NASCAR star Tony Stewart, expressed its condolences via Twitter. Leffler and Stewart were drivers for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2000; Leffler drove in the Nationwide Series.
So saddened to have lost a friend, competitor & family member tonight.. The Leffler family is in our thoughts & prayers. Godspeed #LEFturn— Tony Stewart Racing (@tonystewart_rcg) June 13, 2013
So saddened to have lost a friend, competitor & family member tonight.. The Leffler family is in our thoughts & prayers. Godspeed #LEFturn
Defending Cup champion Brad Keselowski, who competed against Leffler often in the Nationwide Series, tweeted:
Really sad for Jason Leffler and his family. Thinking about his little boy...— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) June 13, 2013
Really sad for Jason Leffler and his family. Thinking about his little boy...
AJ Allmendinger posted on Twitter:
My heart goes out to @jasonleffler family. He was a great guy. So friendly and a hell of a racecar driver. So saddened by this. #Restinpeace— AJ Allmendinger (@AJDinger) June 13, 2013
My heart goes out to @jasonleffler family. He was a great guy. So friendly and a hell of a racecar driver. So saddened by this. #Restinpeace
Ricky Carmichael, a motocross star who attempted a NASCAR career and competed against Leffler, tweeted:
I'm sick.. My heart goes out to Jason's family and his little guy..words simply cannot explain how good of a guy he was. #riplefty— Ricky Carmichael (@RickyCarmichael) June 13, 2013
I'm sick.. My heart goes out to Jason's family and his little guy..words simply cannot explain how good of a guy he was. #riplefty
Clint Bowyer also had competed against Leffler in the Nationwide Series and tweeted:
So sad to hear about @jasonleffler. Was a wheel man and a fun fun person to be around.#LEFturn— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) June 13, 2013
So sad to hear about @jasonleffler. Was a wheel man and a fun fun person to be around.#LEFturn
Leffler had 73 career Cup starts, including one last week for Humphrey Smith Racing at Pocono. He finished 10th in the 2001 season finale driving for Chip Ganassi Racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His one pole came earlier that year at Kansas.
That season was his best in Cup as he finished 37th in the standings. He ran the first 19 races of 2005 for JGR before being replaced eventually by Denny Hamlin.
Leffler ran 294 races in the Nationwide Series with two wins—in 2004 at Nashville and 2007 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. He primarily drove for Braun Racing and finished third in the 2007 standings.
The California native competed in 56 races in the Camping World Truck Series with a win in 2003 at Dover.
He also competed in the 2000 Indianapolis 500, finishing 17th.
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