Veteran NASCAR Driver From Long Beach Killed In NJ Crash
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A NASCAR driver from Long Beach was killed Wednesday in a crash on a dirt track in Bridgeport, N.J.
Jason Leffler, 37, was mid-race when his car flipped over in the track's front stretch. He was extricated from the vehicle on a board and airlifted to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Racing at Bridgeport Speedway was suspended for the rest of the night after the accident.
Leffler started his racing career in 1999. He made more than 420 starts in NASCAR's three national series and won two nationwide races and one truck series event.
He also made three IndyCar Series starts, finishing 17th in the 2000 Indianapolis 500.
In a past interview with CNN, Leffler spoke candidly about his career.
"You get the rush every time. It's what you live for. The only thing I've ever done is drive race cars," he said.
NASCAR released the following statement:
"NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler. Jason was a fierce competitor in our sport and he will be missed."
Leffler leaves behind a 5-year-old son, Charlie Dean.
