Tragedy at Thompson Speedway
John Blewett III, a 34-year-old NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver from Howell, N.J., died from massive head injuries suffered in a multicar accident last night at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
Blewett’s 26-year-old brother, Jimmy, was involved in the crash but was unhurt.
Rescue workers on scene reported Blewett was “unresponsive” when he was extricated from the car, but he was still showing signs of life. Blewett was transported to Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster, Mass., where he was pronounced dead at 11 p.m., according to Connecticut State Police.
The last death at the speedway occurred Aug. 19, 2004, Tommy Baldwin, the father of NASCAR Nextel Cup crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., was killed in a crash during a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race.
The staff of Full Throttle sends it’s condolences to the Blewett family and friends during their time of sorrow.
R.I.P John Blewett III
I’m shocked and stunned, my condolences go out to the Blewett family. I have watched John race for years at NHIS in the modified Series, I’m speckless. The racing in September at NHIS willn’t be the same without him, hopefully they will have a tribute for him.
It’s been a long time since I have been to Thompson Speedway even though its only 15 mins. away via backroads, I didn’t hear anything on it until Martin Truex Jr. sent his condolences out to the Blewett family on Speeds qualfiying show.
i have watched 5 drivers loose their lives over the years at thompson, two of them into the outside wall and one would have been in the outside wall, but it was before they were there. maybe its time for the “soft wall” system to be installed. Don, the cost is about the same as installing a new green!
Congrats to Jimmy Blewett for winning the “76″ lap “John Blewett III Memorial Race” at Wall Stadium (WallSpeedway.com), in Howell, NJ! There couldn’t have been a better winner for this race.
We still miss you John!