NEMA’s Shane Hammond Succumbs at Thompson
Shane Hammond, one of the Northeastern Midget Association young stalwarts, died Sunday form “traumatic injuries” sustained in a crash at Thompson International Speedway’s season-opening Icebreaker. The crash occurred on the fourth lap of the scheduled 25-lapper.Hammond, 27, of Halifax, MA, made contact with another car on the backstretch on the fourth lap. Getting airborne, Hammond’s car cleared the concrete wall and struck a billboard in turn three.
After being extricated from the racer (a process that took some 12 minutes), Hammond was taken by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in nearby Putnam where he died.
NEMA immediately suspended the race. It was the first of 19 scheduled events for the 58-year old club.
Hammond, who was diving Mike Jarret’s second car, joined the Midget ranks after a very successful stint in Go Karts. Regarded as a “steady hand,” he was regarded as very “steady” driver who had “shook down” the car on several occasions.
The last fatality for NEMA was Ed Clothier at Westboro Speedway on June 19, 1965.
NEMA’s season continues this weekend at Waterford Speedbowl’s season-opening Budweiser Modified Nationals.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR