NASCAR driver Carlos Pardo, has been killed in a crash in the final laps of the race in Mexico.

Pardo, 33, was leading the race in the 97th lap when his car was nudged by a competitor from behind and slid sideways into a wall at the entrance to the pit lane at about 120 mph on Sunday.

The car crashed into the sidewall and fell apart.

Pardo was removed from the wreckage and sent by helicopter to a hospital where he died after 45 minutes according to reports from the NASCAR Mexico Web site.

Race organizers declared Pardo as winner of the race in Pueblo, east of Mexico City.

Pardo was winner of 2004 series championship and had 10 career victories in 74 races.

Mexico