NASCAR driver Jason Leffler was killed Wednesday night in a New Jersey dirt car race. Authorities say Leffler sustained major injured when his sprint car slammed into a wall at Bridgeport Speedway shortly before 9 p.m. He was airlifted to Crozier Hospital in Chester, Pennsylvania, where doctors pronounced him dead at 9:02. Leffler was 37-years-old.
The accident is under investigation by New Jersey authorities. No other details were immediately available.
NASCAR released a statement saying, "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."
Leffler began his career in midget car racing in 1997. Two years later he made his first NASCAR appearance at the Nationwide series Kroger 200. He competed in all three of NASCAR's national touring series, winning 2 Nationwide races and one Truck Series race. Leffler also competed in 3 IndyCar series races. His final NASCAR race was last Sunday’s 400- mile Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.
NASCAR’s Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski paid tribute to Leffler on Twitter. "Really sad for Jason Leffler and his family. Thinking about his little boy," Keselowski wrote.
"Deeply saddened by the passing of @JasonLeffler tonight. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers,” wrote Busch.
Leffler is survived by his 5-year-old son Charlie.
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