U.S. Sprint Car Racer Killed in Practice Crash

A U.S. sprint car driver was killed during a crash in warm-up laps Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway, prompting officials at the track to call off Saturday's planned races.

James Campbell Jnr died when his car crashed in the third turn. Witnesses told area television station WHTM that the car burst into flames after striking the outer wall and a second car struck it and flipped over.

Track officials called off the remainder of Friday's races following the accident at the speedway, a half-mile banked clay oval.

Campbell was from Feasterville, north of Philadelphia and about a two hours' drive east of the track, located in the center of the state.

The death comes after a year of concern over safety issues at American tracks in the wake of NASCAR driver Tony Stewart striking and killing a racer who climbed out of his car in an event last August. No charges were filed against Stewart.