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The track issued a statement early Sunday, and
FOX's Mike Joy announced Balluzzo's death during the network's
Quaker State 400 Sprint Cup race later in the afternoon.
"Our hearts are heavy this morning," Langley Speedway's
statement read. "Driver Shawn Balluzzo passed away following an
incident during Saturday night's modified feature at Langley
Speedway, leaving behind a championship legacy both on and off
the track. He won the hearts of our fans with 11 track
championships and a driving style that made him one of the most
respected competitors we've ever known. The Langley Speedway
family grieves at this terrible loss and offers our deepest
condolences to his wife Terri and his three children. We ask
that you respect the family's privacy during this trying time."
According to multiple reports, Balluzzo's car became airborne
after clipping tires with another car and struck the Turn 2
wall. The modifieds used in the race are open wheel.
"I saw him impact the wall head-on and you know that's never a
good hit," driver Mark Wertz told The Virginian-Pilot. "You
don't think it's as bad as it was, but it was kind of surreal."
According to the Virginian-Pilot's Marty O'Brien, the accident
happened on Lap 13 of the second race of twin 50-lap races, and
Balluzzo was running in third when the wreck happened.
Per the Virginian-Pilot, safety personnel cut the roof off of
Balluzzo's No. 48 car and extracted the driver. Citing "several
people close to the scene," O'Brien reported that paramedics
performed CPR on Balluzzo before transferring him to a local
hospital.
The race was then continued but shortened to 30 laps.
According to O'Brien, Balluzzo is the winningest driver in
Langley Speedway history with 11 modified championships. He also
reported that Balluzzo is the first driver killed in a
race-related accident at the track since August 2004.
--Field Level Media
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