Jason Leffler (1975-2013)

Jason Leffler made his name in the late 90’s as a midget and sprint car phenom. Leffler won three consecutive USAC Midget titles (97-99) and the 1998 USAC Silver Crown Championship. Among his most prestigious wins were the Hut Hundred, The Copper World Classic, The Night Before The 500, and two wins in the Turkey Night Grand Prix. Leffler was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.

In the early 2000’s, Leffler began racing in NASCAR’s national ranks, driving for well-known teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing and Chip Ganassi. In over 70 Cup starts, 300 in Nationwide, and over 50 in Trucks, Leffler won two Nationwide races and a Truck race. His lone start this season was this past Sunday in Pocono, finishing last after the team parked 8 laps in. Leffler also ran three IndyCar races early in his career, including a 17th-place finish in the 2000 Indy 500 backed by Roger Penske.

Jason Leffler died from injuries suffered in a heat race for the “Night of Wings” at Bridgeport Raceway in New Jersey. After his car flipped in a crash down the front stretch, he was extricated and airlifted to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Leffler is survived by his son Charlie, who recently graduated Kindergarten.

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Image Courtesy NASCAR.com.