This editorial cartoon by Henry Payne of The Detroit News depicts what NASCAR racing may be in the year 2025.
A 25-year newspaper veteran, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated satirist produces 12 cartoons a week for The News and United Feature Syndicate. Payne is also a contributor to National Review, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, and other national publications.
Troopers Release Early Findings in Fatal Race Crash Involving Jason Leffler
West Trenton, N.J. – Because of the media attention and high volume of calls regarding the results of the investigation into the crash that claimed the life of racecar driver Jason Leffler, we are supplying an early summary of the findings. These facts have been substantially vetted even though the full investigative report remains open for some minor additions. The facts we have established to this point are outlined below.
Bridgeport Speedway, Jason Leffler Crash: June 12, 2013, 2025 hours
On June 12, 2013, Jason Leffler was operating a 2013 Maxim chassis, 410 Spring Car in a heat race at Bridgeport Speedway. Leffler was in the second position completing his fifth lap when his vehicle sustained a mechanical failure in turn four. Race vehicles were averaging 135 mph and reaching speeds of up to 150 mph in the straight-aways at this event.
Evidence discovered on the track in turn 4 indicated a tortion stop located on the left side of the vehicle came off and allowed the tortion bar and arm to slide out of its housing. As the tortion bar slid out, the tortion arm became lodged between the inboard flange of the right front wheel and the right steering arm. As a result of this mechanical failure, Leffler’s front suspension failed and his steering became locked. Leffler lost directional control of his vehicle as he exited turn 4. His vehicle rotated clockwise approximately 180 degrees and struck the outside concrete hub rail with the left side of the vehicle. Leffler’s vehicle sustained a lateral impact with the wall then overturned and continued in a south east direction before coming to final uncontrolled rest upright facing north. Leffler remained in his vehicle and sustained fatal blunt force injuries as a result of the crash. Post Mortem examination confirmed that Jason Leffler died as a result of blunt force neck injuries.
