LOUDON, N.H. (Reuters) - Adam Petty, the fourth-generation driver of NASCAR's first family of stock car racing, died Thursday after crashing into a wall during a practice session at New Hampshire International Speedway. He was 19.
Petty was airlifted to Concord Hospital after the accident, but died of head trauma, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The crash occurred shortly after noon EDT during the second practice session of qualifying for Saturday's Busch 200.
Petty is the son of driver Kyle Petty, the grandson of the legendary Richard Petty and the great grandson of Lee Petty, who died on April 5.
Ironically, Adam Petty competed in his first Winston Cup race at the DirecTV 500 three days before Lee Petty died.
Adam Petty was in his second season in the Busch Series. He had three top-five finishes in 29 starts last year and earned $141,930 this season.
