NASCAR champion Mike Stefanik killed in aircraft crash

9-time NASCAR champion Mike Stefanik was killed in a aircraft crash Sunday, NASCAR confirmed. Stefanik was 61.

Stefanik, a NASCAR Corridor of Fame nominee, received seven modified titles and two Ok&N Professional Collection East crowns. In 2003, he was named one of many NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s 10 biggest drivers.

NASCAR issued a press release on behalf of Chairman Jim France:

“Mike Stefanik was probably the most profitable drivers in NASCAR historical past, however much more so, he was a real consultant of our sport. His powerful, aggressive nature and excellence on the race monitor received him the respect and admiration of followers and opponents alike.

“His profession stretched greater than 30 years, bridging the generations between Jerry Cook dinner and Richie Evans to our present drivers. He recorded achievements on this sport which are probably untouchable, and his legacy as a champion will endure. We’ll maintain his spouse Julie and his household and associates in our prayers.”

RaceDayCT.com reported that in line with a number of information stories, Stefanik crashed whereas piloting a single-engine, single-seat Aero Extremely-Mild aircraft. The crash passed off passed off in Sterling, Connecticut close to the Rhode Island border.

Stefanik is the winningest driver in Whelen Modified Tour historical past with 74 wins. His 9 championships ties him with Richie Evans for many nationwide touring championships in NASCAR historical past.

In 1997-98, Stefanik received back-to-back championships within the modified and Ok&N East Collection. Stefanik was the rookie of the 12 months within the NASCAR Tenting World Truck Collection in 1999.

Stefanik was first nominated for the NASCAR Corridor of Fame in 2015. He instructed RaceDayCt.com that the nomination  “humbled” him. “I’m not in, but it surely’s fairly an honor,” Stefanik instructed RaceDayCt.com. “I by no means actually thought a lot about it. I didn’t get into racing to get right into a Corridor of Fame. Nevertheless it’s humbling for certain.”

The Corridor of Fame launched a press release from its director, Winston Kelley:

“Firstly, on behalf of everybody on the NASCAR Corridor of Fame, we provide our most honest condolences to Julie, Nichole, Christie and the whole Stefanik household on the lack of Mike.

We’re all very saddened to study of the passing of NASCAR Corridor of Fame nominee and nine-time NASCAR Champion Mike Stefanik. His record-tying 9 championships simply tells a part of the story of his unbelievable legacy. He was intensely aggressive, devoted and tenacious and equally humble, versatile and revered. His seven NASCAR Whelen modified championships are second solely to NASCAR Corridor of Famer Richie Evans. His tenacity and dedication are exemplified within the information that his first and seventh championships got here 17 years aside and his first and 74th wins got here an unbelievable 27 years aside, the ultimate win coming at age 55 on the very powerful Bristol Motor Speedway. His versatility will be seen in profitable back-to-back titles in each the Whelen Modified Tour and KN Professional Collection East in 1997 and 1998 and profitable the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Collection rookie of the 12 months the next 12 months, 1999. Regardless of his success and frequent dominance, maybe what Mike will most be remembered for is his humility and the respect he had from his fellow opponents.

Mike’s legacy and dedication to NASCAR will probably be perpetually remembered, celebrated and cherished right here on the NASCAR Corridor of Fame and in our hearts and minds.”

New Hampshire Motor Speedway launched a press release from David McGrath, the monitor’s govt vp and normal supervisor.

“Yesterday, the quick monitor group misplaced one of many biggest modified drivers in historical past. Mike Stefanik was a real champion on and off the racetrack making a long-lasting mark on quick monitor racing, particularly within the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. With 10 profession victories, Mike is considered one of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s high profitable drivers. I do know that I can converse for everybody right here, in addition to our complete Speedway Motorsports, Inc. household, after I say that Mike will probably be actually missed. Our ideas and prayers are along with his household, associates and the whole NASCAR group throughout this very tough time.”