Crime & Safety

Driver, 20, Loses Life in Calistoga Speedway Crash

Updated: A 75th Anniversary race turned tragic at Calistoga Speedway Saturday night when sprint car driver Tyler Wolf was fatally injured after crashing head-on into the raceway wall. The Napa County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

A 20-year-old sprint car driver lost his life during an Open 360 Commemorative Race at Calistoga Speedway Saturday evening.

The driver, identified as 20-year-old Tyler Wolf, of Redding, was participating in the race Saturday night and was coming out of a turn according to Calistoga Fire Department staff who were present at the race.

Wolf apparently lost control of his sprint car and crashed head-on into the wall that borders the racetrack. He sustained major head injuries as a result of the crash, according to the Calistoga Fire Department.

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Wolf was taken by ground ambulance to nearby St. Helena Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Napa County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the cause of the crash.

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Updated 12 p.m.: Wolf was considered a "heading-for-greatness sprint car racing star," according to a post on the Wheels.ca auto racing blog which continues, "Wolf was the 2011 Silver Dollar Speedway sprint-car champion, the youngest driver on record to win the title." http://thestar.blogs.com/autoracing/2012/10/vettel-on-f1-pole-grimsby-racer-eyes-formula-ford-prize.html)

On Calistoga Speedway's Facebook Page, a message of "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Tyler Wolf tonight," is posted along with several comments.


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