Auto racing isn’t known as a sport for the faint of heart. When a professional driver straps into a car that can top 200 miles per hour, they know the risks. But it’s still shocking when one is killed on the track.
An innocuous-looking wreck on Sunday led to the death of IndyCar driver Justin Wilson a day later. Wilson’s death is only the most recent in a long line that resulted from fatal crashes on the international racing circuit.
Below are 13 notable drivers who died after crashing during a race in NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One.
Justin Wilson (IndyCar)
Date of crash: Aug. 23, 2015
Track: Pocono Raceway (Pennsylvania)
Wilson was airlifted from the racetrack on Sunday after he was hit in the head by a piece of debris from another driver’s wreck. The 37-year-old driver passed away in hospital care on Monday.
Jules Bianchi (Formula One)
Date of crash: Oct. 5, 2014
Track: Suzuka Circuit (Japan)
Bianchi, a 25-year-old French driver, died after crashing during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. The crash put Bianchi in a coma for nine months until his death in July 2015.
Dan Wheldon (IndyCar)
Date of crash: Oct. 16, 2011
Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Nevada)
A 15-car pileup during the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship resulted in the death of Wheldon, a former IndyCar Series champion and two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. Wheldon’s car flew over 300 feet through the air before he hit his head on a pole that lined the track.
Carlos Pardo (NASCAR)
Date of crash: June 14, 2009
Track: Autodromo Miguel E. Abed (Mexico)
This 33-year-old former champion of the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series died after crashing during a race in his native country. Pardo’s car was speeding at over 120 miles per hour when he lost control and hit a wall on the track. Pardo was the last NASCAR crash fatality, as of Aug. 25, 2015.
Dale Earnhardt (NASCAR)
Date of crash: Feb. 18, 2001
Track: Daytona International Speedway (Florida)
Perhaps the most notable on-track death in American racing sports history happened when Earnhardt collided head-on with a wall during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Earnhardt was one of the greatest NASCAR drivers in history, winning seven championships. His death resulted in NASCAR adopting numerous safety improvements for its drivers.
Tony Roper (NASCAR Truck Series)
Date of crash: Oct. 13, 2000
Track: Texas Motor Speedway (Texas)
The year 2000 was particularly deadly for NASCAR. Two drivers were killed in practice-session crashes during the summer and Roper lost his life after a crash during a NASCAR Truck Series race. Roper was 35 years old when he died.
John Nemecheck (NASCAR Truck Series)
Date of crash: March 16, 1997
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway (Florida)
As is often the case with auto racing-related deaths, safety changes were made following Nemecheck’s fatal crash in 1997. His racing truck slammed into a wall at Homestead-Miami Speedway, leading to the track being reconfigured to avoid similar wrecks. Nemecheck was 27 years old when he died.
Ayrton Senna (Formula One)
Date of crash: May 1, 1994
Track: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Italy)
Senna was one of the most accomplished professional drivers to be killed during a race. The Brazilian driver was 34 years old when he was killed during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. He won three Formula One world titles and was dominant during his 10-year career.
J.D. McDuffie (NASCAR)
Date of crash: Aug. 11, 1991
Track: Watkins Glen International (New York)
McDuffie was killed after a crash during a 1991 NASCAR race that sent his car flying into the air before landing on its top. The 52-year-old driver was killed instantly after suffering head and brain injuries, according to reports.
Pat O’Connor (Formula One)
Date of crash: May 30, 1958
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indiana)
O’Connor holds the distinction of being the last American Formula One driver to die during a race. He was killed in a 15-car pileup during the first lap of the 1958 Indianapolis 500. In total, 10 American drivers have been killed in Formula One competition, with most occurring during practice or qualifying sessions.
Bill Vukovich (Formula One)
Date of crash: May 30, 1955
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indiana)
Vukovich was one of the first A-list drivers to be killed during a major race. At the 1955 Indianapolis 500, the 36-year-old driver was killed instantly in a violent, flaming crash. He was leading the race at the time of his death and could have gone on to win the race for a third consecutive time.
Bill Davis (NASCAR)
Date of crash: July 25, 1948
Track: Greensboro Fairgrounds (North Carolina)
During the first year of its existence, NASCAR suffered its first on-track driver death. According to reports, Bill “Slick” Davis flipped his 1937 Chevrolet during a race and died from his injuries. Investigators allegedly called Davis’ death “an occupational accident.”
Floyd Roberts (IndyCar)
Date of crash: May 30, 1939
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indiana)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway proved to be a deadly track in its early years and the death of Roberts was one of the track’s most notable tragedies. The 39-year-old driver was trying to win his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 when he was involved in a three-car crash that killed him instantly.
Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
