Driver Jason Leffler was killed in a NASCAR accident Wednesday night at a dirt car event at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey, the Associated Press reported.

NASCAR confirmed the death of the versatile driver, who was known by his nickname LefTurn, in a statement quoted by Sports Illustrated: "NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler who passed away earlier this evening. For more than a decade, Jason was a fierce competitor in our sport and he will be missed."

He was pronounced dead after 9 p.m., N.J. State Police told the AP. Leffler, 37, had won two Nationwide Series before his untimely death.

Leffler was racing 410 Sprint car heat race at the 5/8-mile when his car flipped multiple times, Christopher Taitt, 40, told USA Today. The witness said his car hit the wall and then was “flopping all over.” He was in second place at the time of the crash.

According to the news site, over the past four season Leffler had started in the Sprint Cups 11 times.

His 5-year-old son, Charlie Dean, survives him.

"Really sad for Jason Leffler and his family," NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski said on Twitter. "Thinking about his little boy.

The rest of Twitter reacted with condolences for his family:

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