Jason Leffler UPDATE:
New Jersey State Police has released a partial report indicating the cause of Jason Leffler's death: a mechanical failure at the front suspension caused the car to lose control at the Bridgeport Speedway in the Logan Township of New Jersey.
Jason Leffler was pronounced dead Wednesday night shortly after 9 p.m. when the NASCAR driver crashed his sprint car during the "Night of Wings" dirt track event at New Jersey's Bridgeport Speedway. Jason Leffler was 37.
According to witnesses, the Jason Leffler crash occurred on the front stretch of the 5/8-mile high-banked dirt oval. The sprint car flipped and Leffler suffered fatal injuries. Jason Leffler was pulled from the wreck and promptly airlifted from the track via helicopter. The night of racing was cancelled following the disaster.
"Jason's left rear tire blew coming out of turn 4 and it made his car spin directly toward the wall," reported Yahoo! Sports writer Connor Ferrell, who attended the race. "He did 3 or 4 flips before his car came to a stop."
A seasoned racing driver with an eventful career that begin in 1999, NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler has raced in the Nationwide Series, Sprint Cup, and Truck Series. Leffler has earned two wins, 42 top fives and 107 top 10s in the Nationwide series.
Jason Leffler made 423 starts in NASCAR's three national series. Leffler won two Nationwide races, one Truck Series event, and also made three IndyCar Series Starts. In 2000, Jason Leffler completed the Indy 500 at 17th.
A statement released by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway honors Jason Leffler as "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."
Jason Leffler's last full NASCAR season was in 2011, when he ran the Nationwide schedule for Turner Motorsports. While Leffler managed to finish a respectable sixth in the standings, Leffler failed to get a steady ride in NASCAR since.
Wednesday's 410 Sprint Car event awards a sizeable $7,000 prize to the winner.
"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."
Jason Leffler is survived by his 5-year-old son, Charlie Dean.
Greg Biffle @gbiffle 3h
Thoughts and prays are with son Charley and leffler family On a day after a terrible crash took the life of a great person.. RIP Jason
Jeff Gordon @JeffGordonWeb 4h
Very sad to hear the news of Jason Leffler. He will be missed. Thoughts go out to wife Allison and son Charlie.
Dario Franchitti @dariofranchitti 4h
Rest in peace Jason Leffler. A tough competition and a great guy. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Trevor Bayne @Tbayne21 13h
I'm completely devastated to hear a bout Jason Leffler. It doesn't seem real. Pray for his family tonight
Toyota Racing @toyotaracing 13h
We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jason Leffler. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Jamie Little @JamieLittleESPN 13h
I am extremely sad to hear the news about Jason Leffler.I always think of his little boy sporting the famous faux hawk just like his daddy.
Followed by Race Tech magazine and 2 others
Juan Pablo Montoya @jpmontoya 14h
Thoughts and prayers for Jason Leffler and his family.
Followed by Natalie Neff and 2 others
Brad Keselowski @keselowski 14h
Really sad for Jason Leffler and his family. Thinking about his little boy...
