LAWRENCEBURG, INDIANA: A sprint car racer succumbed to his injuries following a car crash during a qualifying race in southeast Indiana. Justin Owen, 26, of Harrison, Ohio, was once a profession race car driver who was the reigning music champion at Lawrenceburg Speedway with two characteristic wins and the title in 2022.
The US Auto Club (USAC) said that on Saturday night time, April 8, during a qualification race for the AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship at the Lawrenceburg Speedway, his car crashed into the outside wall and flipped over a couple of instances along the third turn. The crash led to the cancellation of the remainder portions of the development.
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Who was Justin Owen?
Owen got here into this weekend's pageant as the current track champion at Lawrenceburg Speedway. The triumph was the 10-year sprint car veteran's first victory on the 3/8-mile circuit, where he were competing for lengthy in the sprint car category.
Owen's greatest on-track accomplishments, in keeping with a USAC unlock, integrated a victory in the season-ending Dick Gaines Memorial during his Lawrenceburg title-winning season. In 2019, he received three times: once in the Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania, as soon as at Paragon Speedway in Indiana and as soon as during Lawrenceburg's Night of Champions. He also received with BOSS at Lernerville in 2016. He had prior to now raced in two USAC function occasions, both in Lawrenceburg in 2019 and 2021, as in step with IndyStar. He grew up simply 20 mins north of the tune.
How did Justin Owen die?
The racer drifted top into Turn 3 during his qualifying run for the competition, lost keep watch over and slammed into the wall. His car used to be airborne and flipped quite a few times sooner than preventing in the middle of the circuit. When the incident took place just prior to 6.30pm, USAC temporarily red-flagged the race, and 30 minutes later, the development was once canceled. Soon after midnight, they announced Owen's dying.
The racing group, as well as the younger megastar's friends and family, paid tribute to Owen. His fiancee Kenzie Knapp changed her profile image and added the message, "I love you more than you'll ever know."
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe, who is from southern Indiana and grew up two hours clear of the Lawrenceburg music, mentioned that he had competed towards Owen "quite a bit" in sprint vehicles. "Ended up 7th tonight banging the boards, had a lot of fun and appreciated the opportunity," Briscoe tweeted, adding, "Post race I learned about the passing of Justin Owen, raced against Justin quite a bit in sprint cars. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."
Ended up 7th tonight banging the boards, had a lot of amusing and favored the chance.
Post race I discovered in regards to the passing of Justin Owen, raced in opposition to Justin somewhat just a little in sprint vehicles. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. pic.twitter.com/losYQ36rU0
— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) April 9, 2023
Tony Stewart Racing, owned by way of the famed NASCAR and sprint car driving force, said, "It's Never easy to be reminded how quickly things happen in this sport or that we're not promised tomorrow. Keeping the family, friends and fans of Justin Owen in our prayers. We're so sorry for your loss."
It’s Never easy to be reminded how temporarily issues occur in this game or that we’re no longer promised day after today. Keeping the circle of relatives, friends and enthusiasts of Justin Owen in our prayers. We’re so sorry to your loss.
Godspeed, @OwenTwoSix
— Tony Stewart Racing (@TonyStewart_Rcg) April 9, 2023
Christopher Bell, driving force of the No 20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing mentioned, "This win is for fellow dirt racer Justin Owen. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends."
"Justin Owen, a sprint car competitor for more than a decade, succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash during Saturday’s USAC @AMSOILINC National Sprint Car event at @BurgSpeedway," tweeted USAC Racing, adding, "USAC send its deepest condolences to his family & friends."
Sprint Cars Only page discussed, "So deeply saddened to hear the passing of Justin Owen. Justin crashed during his Qualifying effort earlier tonight with the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series at the Lawrenceburg Speedway. My thoughts and prayers are with Justin's Family, Friends and Fan."
So deeply saddened to hear the passing of Justin Owen 💔
Justin crashed during his Qualifying effort earlier this night with the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series at the Lawrenceburg Speedway. My thoughts and prayers are with Justin's Family, Friends and Fans 🙏 pic.twitter.com/8W8SJaogk7
— Sprint Cars Only (@SprintCarsOnly) April 9, 2023
"Justin Owen has passed away after his accident at the Lawrenceburg Speedway tonight. Another tragedy and these never get easier…. RIP," said NASCAR Prophecy.
Justin Owen has kicked the bucket after his accident on the Lawrenceburg Speedway this night. Another tragedy and these by no means get more straightforward…. RIP pic.twitter.com/3lHVYgcBWu
— NASCAR Prophecy (@nascarprophecy) April 9, 2023
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