Jim McNeil Dies During FMX Practice Run in Dallas

ESPN Action Sports is reporting that freestyle motocross rider Jim McNeil tragically passed away this morning after sustaining injuries during a practice run as he was gearing up for an exhibition ride.

McNeil, 32, was riding at The Midway at the Texas Motor Speedway at the time of the crash and was flown to a nearby hospital after the accident. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

Known to fans as “Jumping Jimmy” and “McNeil the Real Deal," the rider has been apart of the motocross community since 1987 and competed five times in the ESPN X Games.

He was a hit in motocross films and competed on a number of tours and showcases for the sport.

You may know him from the Red Bull X-Fighters, International Motocross Association or Dew Tours.

McNeil was practicing for the Fort Worth leg of the 2011 Boost Mobile FreestyleMX.com Worldwide Tour Presented by Monster Energy, an event that would showcase the team he has been on for over nine years.

It was scheduled at the same time as this weekend’s AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, a race that is included in the Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

It has been a terrible time lately for friends, family and fans of racing sports as IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon and MotoGP driver Marco Simoncelli both have been killed during race accidents in recent months.

McNeil is the latest to be struck down participating in a dangerous sport that he loved. It is a real shame that he was taken so young from us.