Grand Am driver Jeff Clinton killed in practice

(HOMESTEAD, Florida) - U.S. racing car driver Jeff Clinton was killed Friday when he crashed during practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway, his team owner said. <br><br>Clinton's car veered off the course

Friday, March 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(HOMESTEAD, Florida) - U.S. racing car driver Jeff Clinton was killed Friday when he crashed during practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway, his team owner said.

Clinton's car veered off the course as he entered a turn and flipped repeatedly before coming to rest upside down. The 38-year-old driver died at the scene, track officials said.

Clinton was in his second season for Archangel Motorsport on the Grand Am circuit, a lower-level racing series in its third year. It is owned by the France family, who also own International Speedway Corp., parent company of NASCAR. Officials canceled qualifying Friday afternoon and said the starting grid for Saturday's race will be set according to series standings.

He finished 54th in last month's Rolex 24 at Daytona.

This was the second deadly crash at Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR truck racer John Nemechek died March 21, 1997, five days after sustaining massive brain injuries during a crash at the 1 1/2-mile oval.

In the past two years, there have been several deaths in U.S. auto racing, including NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Kenny Irwin Jr., Adam Petty and Tony Roper Jr., as well as ARCA driver Blaise Alexander.