Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died, according to members of his family. He was 42.
Pistone, grandson of two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner “Tiger” Tom Pistone, raced competitively in the early 2000s before exiting NASCAR in 2014.
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Pistone’s brother, Nick Pistone, shared the news in a post on Facebook on Monday, coupled with images of the former NASCAR driver.
Chase Pistone, driver of the #9 NTS Motorsports Chevrolet at Gateway Motorsports Park in 2014 in Madison, Ill. (Dilip Vishwanat / NASCAR via Getty Images file)
(Dilip Vishwanat)
“Well My young brother and best friend is gone. I’m broken hearted and don’t know if I’ll ever get over this,” he wrote. “I miss you Chase already and I hope you are you are in a better place. I love you and I miss you so much already!!!!!!!”
Nick Pistone did not share how his brother passed away. He and their other brother, Tom Pistone, told outlet Legends Nation to “post the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is 988 on a phone or text.”
The auto racing news outlet shared a tribute to Chase Pistone, posting a black-and-white photo of the former NASCAR drive on Instagram.
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“Chase was not only a wheelman in Legends and Late Models, but his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team was a force to be reckoned with every time they showed up at a track, and they usually walked away with the winner’s trophy,” Legends Nation wrote.
NASCAR did not immediately return a request for comment.
After his passing, Chase Pistone’s sister-in-law asked Hickory Motor Speedway, a historic racing venue in Hickory, North Carolina, if it would “consider honoring Chase’s memory during your first race this weekend,” according to a letter shared on the raceway’s Facebook on Monday.
“Chase had a deep connection to Hickory Motor Speedway, and the racing community meant so much to him,” Phaedra Pistone wrote. “The track was not just a place to him — it was part of his life, his passion, and a place filled with meaningful memories for our entire family.”
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Hickory Motor Speedway said in a statement that it will do its “best to respect the family’s wishes and honor his memory before the race this Saturday night.”
“Chase was always in a great mood and a joy to be around. I appreciate the support and love that we both share for Hickory Motor Speedway,” Kevin Piercy, Hickory Motor Speedway general manager, said in the statement. “He will be missed.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org, to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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