Track To Retire Number of NASCAR Driver Killed in Plane Crash

Stafford Speedway, a race track in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, is retiring the number of a NASCAR driver who died in a plane crash Saturday.

Stafford Speedway announced that Ted Christopher's No. 13 will be retired on Oct. 1 during a ceremony

The race track was going to retire Christopher’s number Friday, but moved the ceremony at the request of fans and race teams that had a prior commitment in New Hampshire for the weekend. 

On Friday, Stafford Speedway will still honor Christopher and his racing career. 

The 59-year-old racecar driver was a passenger on a plane that crashed in North Branford on Saturday. The pilot, 81-year-old Charles Dundas, also died. 

Federal officials say the plane had left Plainville's Robertson Airport headed for Long Island, New York. The cause remains under investigation. 

Stafford Speedway General Manager Mark Arute called Christopher "a fixture" at the track. His first start at Stafford was in May 1983, his first win was in 1986, and his last was Sept. 8. 

During his career, Christopher had 131 wins, 109 SK Modified wins, and nine SK Modified track championships. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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