List_of_NASCAR_fatalities

List of NASCAR fatalities

List of NASCAR fatalities

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This article lists drivers who have been fatally injured while competing in or in preparation for (testing, practice, qualifying) races sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). A separate list compiles drivers who have died of a medical condition while driving or shortly thereafter and another section shows non-driver deaths.

14 NASCAR drivers have died at Daytona International Speedway, more than at any other circuit.

The NASCAR Cup Series has seen 28 driver fatalities, the most recent of which occurred on February 18, 2001, when Dale Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500.

Safety in the sport has evolved through the decades. Technological advances in roll cages, window nets, seat mounts, air flaps, driving suits, and helmets as well as the HANS device,[1] on-site medical facilities with helicopters, improved track emergency responders, and SAFER barriers[2] have contributed to the prevention of further deaths.[3]

Driver fatalities

NASCAR Cup Series fatalities

More information Driver, Date of accident ...

Breakdown

More information Circuit, Total ...

Fatalities in other NASCAR events

More information Driver, Date of accident ...

Drivers who have died of a medical condition in NASCAR events

This list covers drivers who crashed their cars because of a fatal medical condition (i.e. drivers who did not die from the injuries they may have sustained in the ensuing accident) as well as those who managed to stop their cars but died of a medical condition shortly afterwards.

More information Driver, Date of incident ...

Non-driver fatalities

This section lists people who have been fatally injured in close connection to the racing taking place at an event while not driving a race car including drivers being on the sidelines.

NASCAR Cup Series fatalities

More information Name, Role ...

Fatalities in other NASCAR events

More information Name, Role ...

See also

Notes

  1. The name of the circuit at the time of the accident/incident is displayed.
  2. Figaro died on October 25, 1954, the day after his accident.[6]
  3. Roberts died on July 2, 1964, thirty-nine days after his accident.[13]
  4. Skeen died on September 13, 1965, a week after his accident.[17]
  5. The race also served as a points-paying championship round.
  6. Having remained in a semicomatose state for four years, Jacobi died on February 4, 1987.[26]
  7. Having remained in a coma for eleven years, Baldwin died on June 12, 1997.[29]
  8. The current, last, or best known name of the circuit is displayed.
  9. The 35-year-old World War II veteran died on July 5, 1952, the day after his accident.[38]
  10. The 30-year-old auto mechanic died on February 27, 1955, the day after his accident.[42]
  11. The 27-year-old World War II veteran died on May 16, 1955, two days after his accident.[44]
  12. The 34-year-old nurse died on June 24, 1956, the day after his accident.[48]
  13. The 36-year-old truck driver died on June 19, 1960, the day after his accident.[52]
  14. Platte died on July 21, 1963, the day after his accident.[55]
  15. The 24-year-old car dealership co-owner died on June 1, 1965, seventeen days after his accident.[57]
  16. The 31-year-old driver died on September 26, 1975, six days after his accident.[66]
  17. Having remained in a semicomatose state for more than ten years, Williams died on May 21, 1989.[69]
  18. Ogle died on December 26, 1985, eleven days after his accident.[75]
  19. The 43-year-old laundromat contractor died on September 2, 1988, thirteen days after his accident.[80]
  20. The 40-year-old restaurateur died on May 16, 1992, the day after his accident.[86]
  21. The 42-year-old drilling company owner died on June 4, 1994, the day after his accident.[91]
  22. The 43-year-old baptist minister, who lost control of his car and wrecked, had coronary disease, which may have caused or contributed to his death.[94]
  23. Nemechek died on March 21, 1997, five days after his accident.[98]
  24. The 38-year-old financial consultant died on October 1, 2000, the day after his accident.[100]
  25. Roper died on October 14, 2000, the day after his accident.[102]
  26. Having led the last completed green-flag lap, Pardo was declared the posthumous winner of the race, which was ended after his accident because of time constraints.[108]
  27. The 61-year-old owner of a property maintenance company lost control of his car due to a medical event and sustained fatal impact injuries when hitting a wall. Different medical conditions contributed to his death on July 4, 2016, the day after his accident.[110]
  28. The seven-year-old boy died on July 26, 1948, the day after the accident.[140]
  29. Ray Albert used the name Ray Darney when driving a race car.[142]
  30. The 64-year-old woman died on July 22, 2001, the day after the accident.[149]

References

  1. Tyler, Marty (March 27, 2006). "The history of the HANS device as told by Dr. Bob Hubbard". Catchfence.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013.
  2. Aumann, Mark (April 18, 2008). "Putting up barriers to make NASCAR that much SAFER". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012.
  3. Burlage, Todd (June 30, 2016). "15 years after Dale Earnhardt". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016.
  4. "Race driver dies in accident on Langhorne track". The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 15, 1952. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  5. "Racer fatally injured as car cracks in test". Monroe Morning World. Associated Press. June 21, 1953. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  6. "Stock car driver dies in racing accident". The Daily Pantagraph. Bloomington, Illinois. Associated Press. October 26, 1954. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  7. "Louisville stock-car driver killed". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. June 11, 1956. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  8. Booth, Del (September 3, 1957). "Thompson wins tragedy marked Southern 500". The Dispatch. Lexington, North Carolina. Associated Press.
  9. Burnett, Robert M. (January 20, 1964). "Joe Weatherly dies in stock-car crash". The Daily Times. Davenport, Iowa. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  10. "Burns critical to Fireball Roberts". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press. May 25, 1964.
  11. "Accident kills Pardue". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. September 23, 1964.
  12. "Jarrett takes Southern 500". The Bridgeport Post. United Press International. September 7, 1965. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  13. "Stock car driver hurt in Darlington race dies". The Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. United Press International. September 14, 1965.
  14. Laye, Leonard (October 18, 1965). "Lorenzen wins National 400; wreck kills Kite". The Greenville News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  15. "Crash is fatal to Foster". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. January 21, 1967.
  16. "Rookie driver killed at Daytona". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. February 20, 1970.
  17. Long, Gary (February 18, 1983). "The ultimate penalty looms over the qualifying races". Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida.
  18. "Death mars Atlanta race". TimesDaily. Florence, Alabama. United Press International. November 12, 1984.
  19. "CC racer Baldwin dies at 42". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. June 14, 1997. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  20. Smith, Wayne (November 20, 1989). "Crash injuries fatal to Adcox". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, South Carolina.
  21. "McDuffie killed in crash". TimesDaily. Florence, Alabama. Associated Press. August 12, 1991.
  22. Zier, Patrick (February 12, 1994). "Daytona crash kills Bonnett". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida.
  23. Owens, Jeff (February 15, 1994). "Tragedy shocks NASCAR scene". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, South Carolina.
  24. Brinster, Dick (July 8, 2000). "Practice crash claims NASCAR's Irwin". Ludington Daily News. Associated Press.
  25. "Race driver killed". Statesville Daily Record. United Press. July 27, 1948. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  26. "2,500 see racer killed in crackup at fairgrounds". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. August 25, 1951. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  27. Weirich, Bob (July 5, 1952). "Curtis Turner wins NASCAR championship at Darlington". Florence Morning News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  28. "Two killed in stock car pile-up". The News and Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. September 20, 1953. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  29. "Death clouds NASCAR race won by Owens". Fort Pierce News-Tribune. Associated Press. February 21, 1954. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  30. "Lake Worth mechanic dies following Speed Week crash". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. February 28, 1955. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  31. "Racer dies after Fonda spill". The Times Record. Troy, New York. Associated Press. May 16, 1955. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  32. "Midget accident results in death of Jim Knowlan". The Patchogue Advance. September 15, 1955.
  33. "Racer dies in crash". The News-Herald. Franklin, Pennsylvania. United Press. June 9, 1956. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  34. "Smashes feature speedway races". Sunday News. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. June 24, 1956. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  35. "Speedway accident claims driver's life". The Gazette and Daily. York, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. June 26, 1956. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  36. "Auto racer killed in 100-mile race". The Neosho Daily News. United Press. October 28, 1957. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  37. "Stock car mishap proves fatal to Gwyn Staley". The Daily Times-News. Burlington, North Carolina. March 24, 1958. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  38. "Race driver fatally injured on Sunday". The Kingston Daily Freeman. Associated Press. September 29, 1958. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  39. "Stock car race driver killed". The Times-Argus. Barre, Vermont. Associated Press. June 20, 1960. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  40. "Platte critically injured in mishap". The Progress-Index. Petersburg, Virginia. Associated Press. July 21, 1963. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  41. "Platte dies after crash at speedway". The Gazette-Virginian. South Boston, Virginia. July 25, 1963.
  42. "Stock car death". Charleston Daily Mail. August 16, 1965. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  43. "Racer killed at Champion". The Times. San Mateo, California. September 12, 1966. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  44. "San Jose track crash kills hardtopper Rogalsky". The Fresno Bee. June 5, 1967. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  45. Squires, Tom (July 4, 1971). "Ellis killed in crash". The Nashville Tennessean. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  46. "Toland dies in Clovis crash". The Fresno Bee. July 31, 1971. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  47. "Harton killed". The Portsmouth Herald. August 20, 1973. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  48. "Spencer dies in auto race". The Gadsden Times. Associated Press. January 19, 1975.
  49. "Bob Zwemke". Motorsport Memorial.
  50. "Easley, mechanic killed". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. January 16, 1978.
  51. "Waltrip takes first in rain-shortened race". Rome News-Tribune. United Press International. February 18, 1979.
  52. "Rookie driver dies in crash". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. January 13, 1980.
  53. Granger, David (November 11, 1985). "Florida driver dies in wreck at Montgomery Raceway". The Alabama Journal. Montgomery, Alabama. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  54. Luther, Bill (December 27, 1985). "Dr. Ogle — race-car driver and businessman — dies". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  55. Froscher, Norm (February 14, 1987). "Joe Young dies in Daytona crash". Gainesville Sun.
  56. "NASCAR driver killed". Daily News. Bowling Green, Kentucky. Associated Press. March 23, 1987.
  57. Hasty, Roy (July 21, 1987). "Westport driver killed in speedway accident". The Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  58. "Driver in criticial [sic] condition after crash at Evergreen". The Morning News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. August 23, 1988. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  59. "Evergreen Speedway driver dies of injuries". The Bellingham Herald. Associated Press. September 2, 1988. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  60. "Racer dies in crash". Times Tribune. Palo Alto, California. May 29, 1989. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023.
  61. Ott, Larry (September 18, 1989). "Crash kills driver at Pocono Speedway". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023.
  62. Doyle, Paul (April 23, 1990). "Racer dies after crash at Stafford". The Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  63. Higgins, Tom; Laye, Leonard (May 16, 1992). "Sportsman driver burned in wreck". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  64. Pearce, Al (May 17, 1992). "Injured driver dies from Charlotte crash". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018.
  65. "Wreck kills race car driver". The Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. August 2, 1992. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  66. "Clifford Allison killed". Daily Record. Ellensburg, Washington. Associated Press. August 14, 1992.
  67. "Three-car crash claims life of driver Booher". Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. Associated Press. February 13, 1993.
  68. Scranton, Lyndal (June 4, 1994). "Stock-car driver critically injured". Springfield News-Leader. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  69. Scranton, Lyndal (June 5, 1994). "Race car driver dies from injuries suffered in 'worst-case' wreck". Springfield News-Leader. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  70. Foreman, Bill (July 24, 1994). "Recent deaths at racetrack called 'strictly fate'". Springfield News-Leader. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  71. "Racing minister dies during NASCAR event". The Washington Post. September 26, 1994. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016.
  72. "Sportsman driver dies in fiery crash in Winston 100". The Item. Sumter, South Carolina. Associated Press. October 7, 1995.
  73. "Cooke dies in crash". New Straits Times. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Associated Press. February 6, 1996.
  74. Zier, Patrick (March 22, 1997). "Racer John Nemechek, 27, dies". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida.
  75. Mahoney, Rebecca (May 13, 2000). "Crash claims youngest Petty". The Item. Sumter, South Carolina. Associated Press.
  76. "Wrich dies of crash injuries". Detroit Free Press. October 3, 2000. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  77. "Driver critically injured". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. October 14, 2000.
  78. Hawkins, Stephen (October 15, 2000). "Fiery wreck kills Roper". Sunday Free Lance–Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press.
  79. "I-44 Speedway death under investigation". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 26, 2001. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016.
  80. DeBoard, Will (April 16, 2002). "Driver killed at Altamont race track". The Modesto Bee. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  81. Glick, Shav (June 10, 2002). "Tucson driver dies at Irwindale". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022.
  82. Baptista, Todd (August 21, 2004). "Veteran Modified driver killed at Thompson". The Standard-Times. New Bedford, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022.
  83. Courchesne, Shawn (August 17, 2007). "Crash at Thompson kills driver". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  84. Engle, Greg (June 15, 2009). "NASCAR Corona Series driver dies in late race crash". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023.
  85. Curkov, Mike; Carpenter, Megan (July 4, 2016). "Driver dies after crash at Devil's Bowl Speedway". MyChamplainValley.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2016.
  86. Frechette, Kristin (July 7, 2016). "Cause of death released for driver Ron Casey". MyChamplainValley.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016.
  87. O'Brien, Marty (July 12, 2020). "Legendary driver Shawn Balluzzo dies after crash at Langley Speedway". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, Virginia. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022.
  88. "Heart attack claims driver Gene Lovelace". The Robesonian. Lumberton, North Carolina. Associated Press. July 5, 1970. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  89. "Isaac, 43, succumbs". Statesville Record & Landmark. Associated Press. August 15, 1977. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023.
  90. "Baker dies". The Sun-Telegram. San Bernardino, California. August 13, 1978. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  91. "Larry Catlett". Motorsport Memorial.
  92. "Heart attack kills driver". Johnson City Press-Chronicle. Associated Press. May 30, 1982. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  93. "NASCAR officials will investigate driver's death". The Free Lance–Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. May 6, 1991.
  94. "Neice died of heart attack". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, South Carolina. May 8, 1991.
  95. "Hal Shuster". Motorsport Memorial.
  96. "Edward Maness". Motorsport Memorial.
  97. "Another driver dies in Bolivar". Springfield News-Leader. July 17, 1994. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  98. "Driver killed at Rockford Speedway". Motorsport.com. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021.
  99. "Al Papini III, in memory of the weekend warrior". Motorsport.com. April 6, 2001. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021.
  100. "Racecar driver dies after crash". News & Record. Greensboro, North Carolina. June 2, 2002. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020.
  101. "Local driver died of a heart attack". The Dispatch. Lexington, North Carolina. Associated Press. June 4, 2002.
  102. Schaefer, Paul (June 6, 2010). "Maine racing legend Bilodeau passes". NASCAR.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016.
  103. Poindexter, Bill (July 2012). "Investigation continues into fatal crash at speedway in Roseville". The Press-Tribune. Roseville, California. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016.
  104. Fancher, Lou (July 14, 2017). "East Bay filmmaker's tribute to racer, friend". East Bay Times. Walnut Creek, California. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018.
  105. Leslie, Alexandra; Carpenter, Megan (September 20, 2015). "Veteran race car legend Leon Gonyo has stroke during victory lap". MyChamplainValley.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016.
  106. "Racing cars kill officer at track; weekend toll 4". San Mateo Times. August 20, 1956. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  107. "2 mechanics and inspector killed at Darlington race". The Gaffney Ledger. September 8, 1960. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  108. "1 killed, 4 injured at race track". Lodi News-Sentinel. United Press International. January 18, 1965.
  109. Gaillard, Luther (March 19, 1979). "Death mars Atlanta 500". The Spartanburg Herald.
  110. Pearce, Al (November 19, 1990). "Death mars Nascar finale". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021.
  111. "16 spectators hurt at auto race as car goes through fence". The Southeast Missourian. Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Associated Press. July 26, 1948.
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  113. "Wheel kills roadside fan at Fonda oval". The Troy Record. Associated Press. May 30, 1955. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  114. "Stock car jumps wall, kills driver". The Times Record. Troy, New York. Associated Press. August 27, 1960. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  115. "Race car kills one in Winston". The High Point Enterprise. Associated Press. October 13, 1963. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  116. "Official killed". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. Associated Press. August 14, 1967. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  117. Herrington, Gregg (September 3, 1973). "Race mishap claims steward in Western Grand National". Idaho State Journal. Pocatello, Idaho. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  118. Stevens, John (September 2, 1982). "Dix Hills man killed at Islip Speedway". The Long-Islander. Huntington, New York.
  119. "Speedway crash kills one, injures 21". Santa Cruz County Sentinel. Associated Press. September 20, 1993. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  120. Courchesne, Shawn (October 18, 1998). "Pit crew member killed during race". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  121. "One spectator killed after crash at Ohio speedway". USA Today. Associated Press. July 22, 2001. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016.

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