Bowman Gray Stadium released a statement after driver Robbie Brewer died in an incident on Sunday.
One of the unfortunate aspects of motorsport is that danger can lead to tragedy. J.D. McDuffie died at Watkins Glen‘s 1991 NASCAR race, while Chris Raschke lost his life in a 283-mph car crash as he attempted to break the land speed record in Utah.
On Saturday night, Brewer crashed head-on into the wall on a restart during a race in the Sportsman Division. The alarming crash caused the car to roll down the straight, creating a horrific scene at Bowman Gray Stadium, which hosted the Cup Series’ Cook Out Clash earlier this year.
Brewer was extricated from his car and taken to a local hospital. On Sunday morning, his family confirmed the 53-year-old had died.
Following the tragic news, Bowman Gray Stadium officials released a statement, which read: “We are saddened by the passing of Robbie Brewer after he was transported to an area medical facility following an on-track medical incident during last night’s event at Bowman Gray Stadium.
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“Robbie was a talented and passionate racer and a highly respected competitor among his peers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Robbie’s family and friends at this time.”
Brewer’s passing is the first death at Bowman Gray Stadium in more than two decades at the track. The last death was Bubba Beck, who crashed after suffering a heart attack in a Modifieds race in 2002.
It was reported that a medical emergency, potentially a heart attack, was the initial cause of Brewer losing control of his car. Brewer was a veteran driver who had spent decades racing.
Brewer was a seasoned racer at Bowman Gray, with 11 wins in 311 starts, including 24 in a Tour Type Modified, 259 in a Sportsman, and 28 in Stadium Stock. He was a 2011 division champion at the track and made his first start in North Carolina in 1990.
DON’T MISS…
Bowman Gray Stadium is an iconic circuit on the NASCAR calendar. The stadium hosted the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash back in February.