1 Dead, 9 Injured in Lightning Strike at NASCAR Race

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) - A lightning strike in the parking lot at Pocono Raceway after a NASCAR race Sunday killed one person and injured nine others, racetrack officials said.

It wasn't immediately clear if all 10 people were actually struck by lightning in the parking lot behind the grandstand, nor was it known whether one or multiple strikes occurred.

Two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition after the strike, racetrack officials said. President Brandon Igdalsky said one of them later died at Pocono Medical Center, but he provided no further details.

"Unfortunately, a member of our raceway family here, a fan, has passed away," he said.

One person remained hospitalized in critical condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, said Bob Pleban, a track spokesman. The other five people were taken to various hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, he said.

The race was called because of rain, with 98 of the 160 scheduled laps completed. The track posted warnings on its Twitter page near the end of the race encouraging fans to "seek shelter as severe lightning and heavy winds are in our area."

Prayers for those folks and their families. So saddened to hear this.

You just dread this type of thing. It could have happened at any outdoor venue - just happened to be the Pocono racetrack.

I have worked at a track when fans in campers perished from carbon monoxide poisoning and another from "wrestling" in his tent with his best buddy. It eats your guts out.

I believe someone else was killed at Dover during the spring race in 1983 due to a lightning strike. I'm sure Dave will remember the race- there was a terrible thunderstorm that blew in at the end of the race and caused the race to finish under yellow. Bobby Allison nipped Darrell Waltrip by inches during the race to the final caution flag.

BB, that same storm knocked down (literally) a light pole on the track's backstretch.

44 years ago, in August 1968, the Democratic National Convention was being held in Chicago. While Virginia Governor, Mills Godwin attended the convention, his wife and only child, 14 year old daughter, Rebecca were spending the week at the Virginia National Guard facility, Camp Pendleton, adjacent to Virginia Beach.

Young Becky, accompanied by her mom and Virginia State troopers, had been horseback riding on the beach on the clear, sunny day. She had stepped into the surf and was just stepping back onto the sandy beach when a rogue bolt of lightning struck her. The Governor's only child passed away the next day.

I am always reminded of that sad incident whenever I hear of news such as the tragedy at Pocono.