R.I.P. Jason Leffler

[bdcardinal]

Y! SPORTS

"New Jersey state police have announced that NASCAR driver Jason Leffler has died as a result of injuries suffered in a wreck at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey, according to the Associated Press. Leffler was 37.

Leffler was racing a Sprint Car at the track's "Night of Wings" when his car apparently flipped on the front stretch of the 5/8-mile, high-banked dirt oval. According to eyewitness accounts, he was extracted from the car on a board and airlifted out of the track via helicopter. The remainder of the night's racing was cancelled.

According to state police, Leffler was pronounced dead at 9:02 p.m. ET.

Leffler, from Long Beach, Calif., spent most of his decade-plus career in the Nationwide series, running full schedules from 2006 to 2011. He had two wins, 42 top fives and 107 top 10s in the Nationwide series. He's also run 73 races in Sprint Cup, most recently at Pocono last week, and 56 races in the Camping World Truck Series, where he posted one victory."

Even though I wasn't a fan of his, it is terrible when a racer dies. Real fans never want to see this. I was at Las Vegas Speedway when Dan Wheldon was killed, I can only imagine what it was like at the track when this happened.

 

[Sonic605hp]

That sucks. RIP. I hope I die doing what I love.

 

[shb5007]

So sad.

Jason was a wheelman...he would drive anything...and with an attitude.

Very nice guy, well respected and liked in the garage area.

He was also a really good dad.

 

[VNOMIS]

Rip.

 

[SID297]

R.i.p.

 

[PaladinMan187]

Just a reminder, no matter how strong the cage or new the seatbelt or how careful you drive, I might just happen the next time you get behind the wheel.

RIP sir.

 

[Prototype007]

Terrible to hear about. Godspeed Leffler!

 

[CobraBob]

I had not heard this sad news. I pray for his family's and friends' peace during this traumatic time. Racing is such a dangerous sport, and every racer knows the risk involved. So sad!

 

[tnuce10]

RIP

At least he went out doing what he loved

 

[STAMPEDE3]

So sad.

Jason was a wheelman...he would drive anything...and with an attitude.

Very nice guy, well respected and liked in the garage area.

He was also a really good dad.

^^This.

RIP!

 

[Coiled03]

Hate to lose anybody from the racing community.

RIP

 

[HEMIHUNTER]

Thats Sucks
RIP

 

[4a7191a]

Sucks , hope his family is glad that at least he went out doing what he loved.

 

[DMassey]

RIP, sorry to hear that he left a young son behind.

 

[shb5007]

Looks like Jason died from neck injuries while wearing a Simpson Hybrid device.

Hope they can use this tragedy to learn how to save future lives.

 

[flS/R]

I read about this the other day. It is a sad day when organized racing goes wrong like this on occasion. RIP

 

[7.62x51]

Man, those 410 Sprint Cars are nasty. Probably just as dangerous (if not more) than a Nitro Top Fuel Dragster.

I guess 4 drivers have been killed recently running the winged 410's

 

[bdcardinal]

Looks like Jason died from neck injuries while wearing a Simpson Hybrid device.

Hope they can use this tragedy to learn how to save future lives.

Has anyone been killed from neck/spine injury when wearing a real HANS device? I can't think of anyone. I remember there was the Hutchinson device out around the same time as the HANS and it didn't look as secure as the HANS did to me. I also wonder if that car had been equipped with a Randy Lajoie style seat if the results would have been different. Safety is just such a bad place to skimp on, it isn't worth it.

 

[shb5007]

Has anyone been killed from neck/spine injury when wearing a real HANS device? I can't think of anyone. I remember there was the Hutchinson device out around the same time as the HANS and it didn't look as secure as the HANS did to me. I also wonder if that car had been equipped with a Randy Lajoie style seat if the results would have been different. Safety is just such a bad place to skimp on, it isn't worth it.

I am not sure about the HANS answer. I know there have been a few sprint car deaths this year...but most tracks don't require a HANS (or like) device. Unfortunately, I know a lot of drivers who think the HANS is uncomfortable compared to some of the other systems (like the Simpson).

Your comments about the seats are correct as well. Unfortunately, sometimes comfort and weight (especially in a sprint car) come into play.

Still a really, really sad situation.

 

[11GT50]

Man, those 410 Sprint Cars are nasty. Probably just as dangerous (if not more) than a Nitro Top Fuel Dragster.

I guess 4 drivers have been killed recently running the winged 410's

They're pretty safe for what they are, considering you're running 110+ mph on most tracks with not much more than a cage around you, a giant motor in front of you and a fuel cell directly behind you.