Jason Leffler dies after accident at dirt-track race

A mechanical failure caused Jason Leffler’s fatal race car crash last week, according to a New Jersey State Police report published Friday on the department’s website.

Leffler, a 37-year-old former NASCAR driver, was killed during a sprint car race last week at Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, N.J.

The funeral for Jason Leffler is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius, N.C.

Leffler, a NASCAR driver who w on races in the Nationwide and Truck Series, was killed Wednesday in a sprint car accident at Bridgeport Speedway -- a dirt track in New Jersey.

The news of Jason Leffler being killed in a sprint car crash was on the minds of NASCAR drivers Friday at Michigan International Speedway. The 37-year-old died Wednesday when an apparent parts failure caused him to crash into the Turn 4 wall at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey.

Tony Stewart was just one of many drivers who had a close relationship with Leffler as the two were more than just competitors in various disciplines including NASCAR, but also roommates and teammates.

NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died from a blunt-force neck injury, a spokesperson for the Delaware (Pa.) County Medical Examiner’s office told SB Nation Friday.

Leffler, 37, died Wednesday night in an accident at Bridgeport Speedway (N.J.) where he was competing in the 410 Sprint Car heat race. He was pronounced dead in the Crozer Chester Medical Center (Pa.) emergency room at 9:02 p.m. ET, and an autopsy was performed Thursday to determine the cause of death.

“Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.”

Most of the time, racing fans and drivers take pride in Ernest Hemingway’s definition of sports. But when tragedy strikes like it did Wednesday when Jason Leffler lost his life -- when we’re reminded that racing is not just dangerous but deadly -- it’s impossible not to pause and grieve.

Having competed in various USAC and open-wheel races over for many years and having been in NASCAR since the 1999 season, Jason Leffler formed strong ties with those he raced against.

It was not a surprise then, when shortly after the news of his death was announced, the outpouring of emotion expressed from those in the motorsports community was profound.