WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — A longtime racer at Bowman Gray Stadium has died after suffering a medical emergency on the track.
Track officials say that 53-year-old Robbie Brewer was taken to a local hospital after he suffered an “on-track medical incident” during Saturday night’s event at Bowman Gray that caused him to crash.
The track released the following statement:
“We are saddened by the passing of Robbie Brewer after he was transported to an area medical facility following an on-track medical incident during last night’s event at Bowman Gray Stadium. 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.”
Bowman Gray Stadium
Brewer was a long-time competitor at Bowman Gray Stadium and was competing in the Sportsman division Saturday night when the incident happened.
The incident occurred during a race restart on lap 16, with Brewer running in 4th position. His car sped up with the other cars but never made the turn and crashed head-on into the turn 4 wall. His car rolled down the front stretch, where track crews and rescue workers quickly went to work to get him out of the car and into a waiting ambulance.
He would be taken to a local hospital.
The outpouring of support for the Brewer family began late Saturday night, even before news of his death was official.
Many drivers, teams, crew members and friends are flooding social media with condolences and stories about Brewer.
“Robbie loved to scare me,” car owner Mike Robertson wrote in a social media post. “He lived a mile from my home. He would time it perfectly when I would mow my yard. As I was mowing and had my back turned he come by and blow the horn and scared the you know what out me, then stick his hand out the window.”
Driver Brad Lewis posted about his last moments with Brewer:
“I gave my last fist bump to this guy last night and told him to give em hell! Emilee spoke the last words to him over the radio. Hardest thing I’ve had to do was climb in a car after he was gone but he would’ve told me to pump them up and get up on the wheel! I can still hear him say why didn’t you call me. He was my family. A true man’s ‘man.; I’m broken as most are that he touched through his life. I will never forget you Robbie! I’ll be driving for you!”
Brad Lewis
Brewer was engaged to be married and according to his fiancée, Angel Friesinger McCarter, they had just gotten their marriage license and were to be wed on August 25.
“We had just returned from vacation yesterday, after celebrating Kash’s 2nd birthday and making so many sweet memories with Landyn too!” McCarter wrote, “Robbie couldn’t wait to get back to racing. His first practice went great, so he decided to skip the second one.”
She said he died doing what he loved most, racing.
Brewer was a popular driver at Bowman Gray, running a more part-time schedule these days, but with a racing resume at BGS going back to 1990.
He raced every division at Bowman Gray but found the most success in the Sportsman division, where he had 259 starts, 11 wins and was the 2011 season champion.
While he was very good friends with many at Bowman Gray, he was closest with the Robbins family, driving the green and black number 68 car owned by Brad Robbins. Robbins and Brewer were described as best friends and Brewer even worked at the service center owned by Robbins.
Brad Robbins’ daughter, Taylor Robbins Lewis, who also raced at Bowman Gray, said her family is in shock.
“He loved everyone he met and was by far the kindest guy at the track. He drove for Dad for several years. We always had the best time. He was there for me when I started racing, always there to help.”
Brewer’s death is the 5th fatality at Bowman Gray.
In 2002, Bubba Beck passed away from a heart attack while driving in a race at the track.
In 1958, Billy Myers had a heart attack and died while racing at the track.
In 1937 and 1950, 2 drivers died from crash-related injuries.
