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As of April 19, 2025, there are no confirmed reports of a NASCAR driver’s mother dying in a plane crash today.
However, the NASCAR community has experienced several tragic plane crashes in the past involving drivers and their families.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred on October 24, 2004, when a Beechcraft Super King Air 200 owned by Hendrick Motorsports crashed en route to Martinsville Speedway. All ten people aboard were killed, including Ricky Hendrick, son of team owner Rick Hendrick; John Hendrick, Rick’s brother; and John’s twin daughters, Kimberly and Jennifer. Key team members such as general manager Jeff Turner and chief engine builder Randy Dorton also perished in the crash .
In another incident, on July 10, 2007, a twin-engine Cessna 310 crashed into a residential area in Sanford, Florida, killing five people. Among the victims were Dr. Bruce Kennedy, husband of International Speedway Corporation President Lesa France Kennedy, and NASCAR pilot Michael Klemm. The crash also claimed the lives of Janise Joseph-Woodard, a young mother and law student, her 6-month-old son, and a 4-year-old girl from a neighboring home .
More recently, on September 16, 2017, NASCAR driver Ted Christopher died in a plane crash in Connecticut while en route to a race. The crash was attributed to fuel starvation caused by a blockage in the fuel line .
These tragedies have left lasting impacts on the NASCAR community, underscoring the risks associated with travel in the sport.