The late Donnie Ray Crawford was honored at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Saturday.

The race, originally scheduled for 50 laps, was extended to 55 laps in honor of Crawford, whose car number was 55.

Crawford raced earlier in the week for the qualifying of the event, reported NewsOK. He was scheduled to compete in the event Saturday night, according to the Washington Post.

As he and his family was leaving to go to the Chili Bowl on Saturday morning, Crawford was tragically shot by his grandfather in a bizarre and shocking killing.

A spokesman for the sheriff's department said the police are still investigating his grandfather's motive, reported The Oklahoma Daily.

However, Harli White, a close friend to the Crawford family, said there was no confrontation between Crawford and his grandfather before the shooting. His grandfather, rather, had mental health problems and was off his medication.

More than just a sprint car racer in Oklahoma, Crawford was also a student who was set to study at the University of Oklahoma.

To White and others, he is a hero. Back in 2008, White got into a racing accident and was inside a burning car. Crawford, who was nearby, pulled her out and saved her life, according to FOX 23.

It's hard...knowing that he saved my life and then God took him away, White told FOX 23 regarding Crawford's death.

May God give you eternal peace along with the surviving family who loved you beyond belief. I will keep your family and friends in my prayers for strength during this difficult period, wrote Vickie Ketchum on the Donnie Ray Crawford Racing Facebook page.

DRC 55, can't even imagine this family's loss... We will be praying for peace and understanding from our Heavenly Father. SO SO sorry for your loss, wrote EricandErin Cantrell.

An article updated on Jan. 16 at 12:32 a.m. ET from KTUL.com stated that funeral arrangements for Crawford have not been set.

(Photo below from the Donnie Ray Crawford Racing Facebook page)