Stock Car Driver Robbie Brewer Dies at 53 After Medical Emergency During Race

Veteran stock car driver Robbie Brewer suffered a medical emergency while competing in a race at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem on Saturday night and crashed into a wall, according to the Associated Press and John Dell of the Winston-Salem Journal. He was transported to a local hospital but later died.

He was 53.

"We are saddened by the passing of Robbie Brewer after he was transported to an area medical facility following an on-track medical incident," track officials said in a statement. "Robbie was a talented and passionate racer, and highly respected competitor among his peers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Robbie's family and friends at this time."

Brewer's daughter, Courtney Marquette, wrote on social media that she "didn't just lose my dad, many people just lost a best friend, mentor, talking buddy or someone they could have a good time with."

Brewer was racing in the Sportsman Division. He had made nearly 260 starts in the racing division, which included winning the points title in 2011, accumulating 11 total wins and finishing top-10 in points in 10 of his 13 seasons.

"He was like a big brother to me even though we were not that far apart in age," fellow driver Brad Lewis said. "I'll bet everybody in that pit area has a Robbie story and that's a testament to what he meant to that place and to all of us who compete over there."