Many race car drivers' careers start out on dirt, and that was no different for Ashlea Albertson, a 24-year-old dirt track racer. She got the ultimate opportunity to drive for one of the best ever to race in any form, NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart.
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Tragically, the up-and-coming racer lost her life on Friday. According to WTHR, police said Albertson was a passenger in a GMC Terrain that went off the road in a road rage incident. She was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled over in a nearby field, police said.
Albertson was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The tragic news has hit home for many in the racing world, and that is no different for her family and her team owner, Stewart.
Albertson, who raced TQ Midget Cars across Indiana for Tony Stewart Racing, took part in her last event Aug. 11 at Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis.
Stewart, who gave her a chance to live out her racing dream, was deeply impacted by the news. He shared his sympathy on social media for the loss of Ashlea and how he has dealt with road rage himself.
Today, I lost a teammate. @AshDogRacing had an infectious personality and could light up any room. She was a great race car driver that was involved in a road rage accident and lost her life. In the past, I’ve also gotten caught up in road rage. I hope that we can honor Ashlea by… pic.twitter.com/mnvPYeujWf
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) August 19, 2023
"Today, I lost a teammate. @AshDogRacing had an infectious personality and could light up any room. She was a great race car driver that was involved in a road rage accident and lost her life," Stewart said. "In the past, I've also gotten caught up in road rage. I hope that we can honor Ashlea by controlling what we can control on the highway. Losing her is a sobering reminder of how precious life is. Please join me in keeping her family and friends in your prayers."
Life is a precious thing, and nothing can be taken for granted. You will be missed, Ashlea; rest in peace.
