The racing community is in mourning after the tragic loss of a race official, while another remains in recovery following a collision between two emergency vehicles on the track.
Billy Hart died Saturday night due to an incident during a World of Outlaws sprint car event at Kennedale Speedway Park, located near Fort Worth, Texas.
Kennedale police reported that the accident happened just before 9 p.m. local time. Two officers responding to an emergency involving a racer on the track collided with each other, which led to both being ejected from their vehicle.
Hart did not survive the crash, while the other individual, Jerry Myers, is said to be in stable condition and recovering from his injuries.
Reports indicate that sprint car driver Marcus Thomas flipped his car during a last-chance qualifying round, prompting the emergency response.
“Billy was the kind of person who always put others first,” said Brian Carter, CEO of World Racing Group. “His focus was on the safety of the racers, and he was incredibly kind in all his interactions. He quickly became a familiar face that everyone appreciated.”
The loss has deeply affected the World Racing Group family.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and the remainder of the event will be postponed.
Billy Hart had dedicated over 23 years to improving safety in sprint car racing and had collaborated with various racing organizations, including the American Sprint Car Series and the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa.
He also served as a firefighter in Columbia, Missouri, for more than 25 years, and was known as a rescue expert who trained fellow firefighters across the state. Columbia Professional Fire Brigade President Zach Privett shared, “Billy took great pride in his public service. He always came to work smiling and was well-liked; he truly excelled at what he did.”
World of Outlaws is recognized as a premier dirt track racing series, hosting events across the United States and showcasing some of the top talent in the field.
