Sprint driver dies of horrific injuries aged just 26 after his car crashed into the outside wall during the Indiana race and flipped multiple times
- Justin Owen, 26, of Harrison, Ohio, died of injuries sustained in the crash
- Owens’ car hit the wall and flipped several times in a qualifying race on Saturday
- It happened during the AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship at Lawrenceburg Speedway, which canceled the rest of the events after the crash
A sprint car driver has died of his injuries after his car crashed into a wall during a qualifying race in southeastern Indiana and flipped several times.
Justin Owen, 26, of Harrison, Ohio, was a longtime race car driver who was the reigning track champion at Lawrenceburg Speedway with two major wins and the title in 2022.
On Saturday night, his car hit the outside wall and flipped several times at turn three in a qualifying race for the AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship at Lawrenceburg Speedway, the US Auto Club (USAC) announced.
The rest of the event was canceled after the crash.
Sprint car driver Justin Owen, 26, of Harrison, Ohio, died of injuries sustained when his car crashed Saturday night during a qualifying race at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana
Early Sunday morning, Owen’s mother Marita changed her profile picture to a photo of herself and Owen, who died from his injuries sustained in Saturday night’s horrific crash
Owen’s car hit the outside wall and flipped several times at turn three in a qualifying race for the AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship at Lawrenceburg Speedway
Owen’s 2022 title was his first crown on the 3/8-mile dirt oval, where he has competed in the sprint car division for the past few seasons, USAC said in a press release, expressing support for his family.
USAC extends its deepest condolences to Justin’s family, team and many friends in the racing community.
One of his top performances was a season-ending Dick Gaines Memorial win during his season in the 2022 Lawrenceburg Championship, according to USAC.
Video and photos from Saturday night’s event show the moment Owen’s car crashed
In what appears to be his last Facebook post, Owens captioned this photo on Saturday as “Raceday here at the Burg with USAC Racing,” followed by the “rock on” hand sign emoji
In 2019, Owen took three wins, at the Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania, his second win in the event after one in 2016; at Paragon Speedway in Indiana; and at Lawrenceburg’s Night of Champions event.
With USAC, Owen made two feature film starts, both in Lawrenceburg, in 2019 and 2021.
Tributes began to flow for the young star from the racing community, as well as his family and friends.
His fiancé Kenzie Knapp updated her profile picture late Saturday night to one of them kissing, with the caption, “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
His fiancé Kenzie Knapp updated her profile picture late Saturday night to one of them kissing, with the caption, “I love you more than you’ll ever know”
Owen posted this photo in December 2022 with the caption: ‘Happy birthday to my FIANCÉ’
NASCAR Cup driver Chase Briscoe wrote on Twitter:
“I got 7th tonight hitting the boards, had a lot of fun and appreciated the opportunity. After the race I learned about Justin Owen’s passing, raced Justin quite a bit in sprint cars. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”
Tony Stewart Racing, owned by the famed NASCAR and sprint car driver, tweeted, “It’s never easy to be reminded how fast things move in this sport or that we weren’t promised tomorrow. We will keep Justin Owen’s family, friends and fans in our prayers. We’re so sorry about your loss.’