Champion driver killed after race car crashes and flips on track, Indiana officials say

A 26-year-old race car driver is dead after crashing at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana, officials said.

Justin Owen, an Ohio native, was competing in a qualifying race on April 8 when the crash occurred, the United States Auto Club said in a news release.

Owen’s car “made contact with the outside wall and flipped multiple times in turn three,” the release said.

The race was part of the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship. Following Owen’s fatal wreck, the race was canceled.

“Owen was the reigning track champion at Lawrenceburg Speedway, scoring two feature wins and the title in 2022,” the release said.

Though relatively young, Owen had been competing in sprint car racing for over a decade, USAC said.

“USAC expresses its deepest condolences to Justin’s family, team and many friends throughout the racing community,” the organization said.

This story was originally published April 9, 2023 at 1:19 PM with the headline "Champion driver killed after race car crashes and flips on track, Indiana officials say."