List of NASCAR fatalities
Name Role Date of accident Event Circuit Session Series/Division
Roy Brannon ( USA ) Spectator July 25 , 1948 40-lap race Columbus Speedway Feature race Modified Series
Joe Salek ( USA ) Spectator May 28 , 1955 John E. Larrabee Trophy Fonda Speedway Race
Ray ( Darney ) Albert ( USA ) Driver August 26 , 1960 Kearney Bowl ( beside Fresno Chandler Airport ) Heat race
Richard Gough ( USA ) Spectator October 12 , 1963 Dixie Classic Fairgrounds Feature race Modified
Pat Pattison ( USA ) Official September 2 , 1973 Rainier 200 Evergreen Speedway Race Grand National West Series
Douglas Grunst ( USA ) Team member January 15 , 1978 Stock Car Products 300 Riverside International Raceway Practice Grand American Division
Frank Cervoni ( USA ) Mechanic August 28 , 1982 200-lap Figure 8 race Islip Speedway Feature race Modified
Rene Bourgois ( USA ) Team member September 18 , 1993 Stockton 99 Speedway Race Late Model Sportsman
Jimmy Davies ( USA ) Team member October 17 , 1998 Dodge Dealers 200K Lime Rock Park Race Busch North Series
Virginia Whyel ( USA ) Spectator July 21 , 2001 Lorain County Speedway Race Late Model
Non-driver fatalities -- Fatalities in other series
This article lists drivers who have been fatally injured while competing in or in preparation for (testing, practice, qualifying) races sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). A separate list compiles drivers who have died of a medical condition while driving or shortly thereafter and another section shows non-driver deaths. The premier series of NASCAR has seen 28 driver fatalities, the most recent of which occurred in February 2001 when Dale Earnhardt was killed during the Daytona 500. Safety in the sport has evolved through the decades. Technological advances in roll cages, window nets, seat mounts, air flaps, driving suits, and helmets as well as the HANS device, on-site medical facilities with helicopters, and SAFER barriers have contributed to the prevention of further deaths.