Our in-depth guides provide advice and insight on numerous aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, car care, warranty, accessories, and safe driving. Jacuzzi said the engine panel strakes are metal pieces that sweep outward behind the front tires and make front downforce. Irwin also made his cup series debut during this time, starting on the outside pole at Richmond International Raceway and finishing the race in the eighth position. Facebook Baby Jessica, it appears you've fallen into the well. Alexander moved on to micro sprints and went on to win 48 races in a variety of different series. Needless to say the racing bug bit Irwin at a very young age. Following in his father's footsteps, Kenny Irwin Jr. won his first rookie award in 1993. He suffered a broken arm and spent the night in the hospital. 88 NASCAR Cup Series team of driver Alex Bowman. Neil Bonnett made that fateful decision after a head injury in 1990 from a crash. Racing in one form or another in the 70s and 80s, Trickle finally moved to North Carolina in 89 and quickly became a well-known NASCAR driver and personality. There was a great sadness and confusion throughout the world of NASCAR. That changed in 1966. In more than an estimated 2,200 races, Trickle logged one million laps and is believed to have won over 1,200 feature races. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery but died hours later. I'm glad it only took him 2 races to remind the world. Updated: Oct 5, 2021 / 08:32 AM EDT. Race in peace Bobby. he/him. William "Rowdy" Harrell, 30, was a tire carrier for. In 2001, something else happened. Laura Townley, 30, was seriously injured, and her ex-husband, former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley, 31, was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Auto Club Speedway's racetrack seems to be adored by every . But my feelings on the sport itself are irrelevant right now, and theres no denying its popularity and community surrounding it. But, Davis survived for almost two days afterward, making 7-year-old Roy Brannon (arguably) the first official fatality in NASCAR history. NASCAR announced Tuesday that it will make changes to the Cup car for road course events and a majority of races at tracks 1.058 mile and less. His sudden and tragic death on February 18, 2001 . Dick was well-known in the racing community as a fun-loving, whimsical. The DirecTV 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 2, 2000 was a historic race for NASCAR's most iconic families. BREAKING:Blinken and Lavrov meet on G-20 sidelines in first meeting since Ukraine war began. Laura. There was no doubt in anyones mind that Jason Leffler was an immensely talented racecar driver. John Wes Townley whose father is a co-founder of Zaxby's, sponsor of his NASCAR vehicle was shot and killed when he attacked his ex-wife with a hatchet, police say. A crystalline substance was found with the woman's belongings and residents at a recreational vehicle park where she was staying said they believed she was under the influence of drugs, according to the police statement. Four years later, he won another championship. WPD said: "Trent William Millsap, who fled the area prior to police arrival, is suspected of stabbing the victim.". The 62-year-old male driver of the pickup truck was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. Alexander was later pronounced dead after it was determined that he suffered a Basilar skull fracture. In 2001, he moved up to USACs National Midget Series and enjoyed an admirably successful year. He has six top-10 finishes in a row, dating back to last season. Getty. While NASCAR is known for the inherent dangers faced by the drivers, fans often lose sight of the high-risk environment pit crew members must navigate on a NASCAR pit road. Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) February 27, 2023 So sorry to hear the news today. In a sad turn of events, Alan Kulwicki died in aplane crash only a few months after winning the 1992 Winston Cup Championship. The NASCAR Cup Series has seen 29 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 . The Westminster Police Department named Trent William Millsap as the suspect in the killing of former NASCAR driver Bobby East. While admittedly his NASCAR career was nowhere near as successful as what he was able to accomplish during his time in the USASC Series, he was still able to bring home multiple wins in both The Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck series. 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He has won all three series races in a single weekend twice both times (2010 and 2017) at Bristol Motor Speedway. Federico was pronounced dead at the scene. Clint Bowyer, who made his name as a NASCAR driver before becoming a Fox Sports analyst, was involved in a fatal car crash in Missouri that killed a pedestrian in early June of 2022. He got his first victory at Birmingham International Raceway and then moved on to the ARCA Series where he won rookie of the year honors in 1984. Winning wasnt the only thing that Fireball excelled at, he also finished in the top-five 47% of the time and the top-ten 59% percent of the time during his career in NASCAR. And a large percentage of the time, he was victorious. Without that yes, there's danger. Heres a look back at that tragic day and how it changed NASCAR forever. He has been a hit in the Fox Sports booth since he jumped into that job as a second career. Dick was well-known in the racing community as a fun-loving, whimsical character, and his apparent suicide came as a shock to everyone who knew him. The NASCAR Cup Series early season swing through the West continues Sunday with a 400-mile race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. When there are so many motorsports that are far more complex and technical than driving a stripped-out muscle car in a circle, NASCAR seems to be a bitlets just say, simple. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that police tracked down Millsap to an Annaheim apartment on Friday, two days after East was fatally stabbed. Bowyer retired in 2020 after winning 10 Cup Series races over 15 years. Another example of a driver taken from the world way too soon was 25-year-old, Blaise Alexander. His body was found next to his pickup truck in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City shortly after. Petty's family believed in him, too, doing their part to get him into more races in his own car. One shining example of this is the fact that despite numerous attempts, Stewart has never come home victorious in The Daytona 500. Answer (1 of 3): The last driver to die in a race is Dale Earnhardt. "In an open wheel car, there was no one better. Bowyer retired in 2020 after winning 10 Cup Series races over 15 . He has finished in the top 10 in eight of his last 10 starts at the track. East was a three-time United States Auto Club (USAC) National Champion, who notably won tournaments in 2004, 2012 and 2013. Despite 19 wins, a career best points finish of third and countless memories to last a lifetime, Davey Allison sadly died in a Helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway in 1993. John Probst, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer said of the rule changes: We saw incredible racing throughout the 2022 season, especially at the intermediate racetracks. Hendrick Motorsports issued a statement Wednesday: Today, Hendrick Motorsports learned that team member William Rowdy Harrell and his wife, Blakley, were tragically killed in an automobile accident in Florida last night. Mar 9, 2022 at 1:03 pm ET 1 min read. That changed in 1966. Mike Rich got his job because of an accident on pit road. Reddick needs a boost at Las Vegas to bounce back from tough runs at Daytona (39th) and Auto Club (34th). He should be considered armed and dangerous. During the 1988 season, Mike Rich was the right rear tire changer for a Bill Elliott team that won six times and, more impressively, captured the season series championship. He earned six top-5 finishes during his rookie campaign and was awarded the Rookie of the Year. Had Bristol and Dover been added, it would have essentially created four different rule packages intermediate tracks, superspeedways, short tracks/road courses with wet weather equipment and short tracks/road courses without wet weather equipment. High of 58. 3 Bobby East has passed away age 37 in California 3 Bobby East raced in 42 NASCAR national touring series races 3 And he was the guy that I battled right to the end for my 1983 ASA championship. Not only did Earnhardt attract one of the biggest audiences to the sport of NASCAR, he was also one of the most exciting personalities ever witnessed in NASCAR. Sunday: Partly cloudy and windy. Youll be missed every single day brother. Here is How it Works. We all remember that day probably like it was yesterday. One of NHRA's most flamboyant professional competitors has died. I guess Id just like to thank everyone who gave a young guy like me a chance, he joked. Sad News - Federico Gutierrez killed; Max Gutierrez injured in accident January 30, 2023 NASCAR driver Max Gutierrez and his younger brother, Federico, were involved in a tragic traffic accident Sunday in Mexico and Federico has died, according to multiple media reports Sad News - Darryl Barnes January 28, 2023 Earnhardt was loved for his endearing personality and how he connected with fans, who were all watching when he took to the track at the Dayton 500 in 2001. His wife, Blakley, was 23. However, for one NASCAR driver, it was a year that would likely put the rest of us in therapy He Killed Himself at a Cemetery. He was also named co-driver of the year, alongside Dale Earnhardt. Despite not winning any races, Trickles name and finishing position somehow managed to make it on SportsCenter every weekend when Dan Patrick or Keith Olbermann reported NASCAR highlights. 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