DEVELOPING: Mechanical Problem To Blame For Leffler Crash

((ht: njsp.org))

Not that it is a surprise, but the New Jersey State Police have released the preliminary findings in their investigation of a crash that killed former NASCAR driver Jason Leffler.

The crash that took Leffler's life happened on June 12th at the Bridgeport Speedway.

According to the report, a torsion stop on the left side of Leffler's car came off, allowing the torsion bar and arm to fall out of its housing. That in turn got caught on the underside of the car...and the rest shall we say, was not good.

Read the entire press release from the State Patrol RIGHT HERE

Leffler, who was often referred to as "Lefturn" was buried on June 19th, his funeral attended by a virtual who's who in the NASCAR community.

That funeral took place in Cornelius, North Carolina.

DEVELOPING: Jason Leffler Life Flighted From Bridgeport Speedway, Condition Critical (UPDATE: Leffler Dies, Cause Of Death Revealed)

((HT: Bridgeport Speedway))

Nationwide Series racer Jason Leffler has been injured badly in a winged sprint car accident at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey. Leffler has been life flighted to a local hospital and the New Jersey State Police, who oversee motorsports, have cancelled the remainder of the program for the evening...

Reports from the area around 9:40 PM have Leffler's car still on the race track awaiting New Jersey State Patrol investigators.

The Speedway Facebook page says:

Racing has been postponed at Bridgeport Speedway due to an accident in a 410 Sprint Car heat race that involved Jason Leffler

After The Whistle has this picture of Leffler's car...

Leffler is currently listed as in critical condition...

2245 UPDATE: NBC Philadelphia is reporting that Leffler died as a result of his injuries...

A NASCAR driver is dead after a crash at a local speedway, according to a law enforcement source.

Officials say 37-year-old Jason Leffler crashed during a sprint car race at the Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey on Wednesday. Leffler had to be extricated from his vehicle and was taken by medevac to Cooper Trauma Center where he later died from his injuries.

He was pronounced dead at 9:02 PM as a result of the accident...

Fans of the sport will remember the rivalry that he had with James Buescher in 2010...
Here was the Nashville incident...
((HT: NASCAR on ESPN))


NASCAR released a statement:

"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 was taking part in "Night of Wings," a 25-lap event for sprint cars with a $7,000 prize money.

Racers are starting to post their reactions:

"My heart goes out to @JasonLeffler family. He was a great guy. So friendly and a hell of a racecar driver. So saddened by this. #Restinpeace," tweeted AJ Allmendinger.

Joey Logano said in a post, "Extremely sad to hear about @JasonLeffler. spent a lot of time racing with him. Gone way too soon. Prayers to his entire family."

Jeff Burton: My thoughts and prayers are with Jason's family and friends. Breaks my heart thinking of his little boy

Clint Bowyer: So sad to hear about @JasonLeffler. Was a wheel man and a fun fun person to be around. #LEFturn

INDYCAR added their statement for the one-time Indy 500 driver:

INDYCAR extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Jason Leffler for their tragic loss. Jason was a USAC champion who made three INDYCAR starts, including the 2000 Indianapolis 500. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Here's Thursday morning's report...
((HT: MyFoxPhilly))
Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

The Delaware County (PA) Medical Examiner is saying that Leffler's cause of death was blunt force trauma to the neck when his car hit the wall.