The NASCAR fan that was struck and killed by lightning at Pocono Raceway Sunday afternoon was identified Monday as 41 year old Brian Zimmerman of Moosic Pennsylvania.
Brandon Igdalsky president and CEO of the raceway released the name along with details of Sunday’s incident. The Pennsylvania 400 was delayed by rain for nearly two hours, and was shortened to 98 of the scheduled 160 laps when a severe thunderstorm rolled across the area.
Raceway officials warned fans to take cover, but a total of 10 were injured in two subsequent lightning strikes.
According to Igdalsky: At approximately 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time, the first lightning strike occurred on property inside our Grandstand Parking area, located near Gate 5A. A Pocono Raceway Grandstand Fire unit was stationed in the vicinity and witnessed the actual strike. The response was immediate as the unit reported the incident to our control tower and advised spectators were injured. CPR was started immediately to Mr. Zimmerman by a friend on the scene. MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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