11-time Langley Speedway champion Shawn Balluzzo dies following crash

WAVY Web Staff

4 years ago

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The racing community is mourning the death of Shawn Balluzzo who passed as a result of injuries sustained during a crash at Saturday night’s modified feature at Langley Speedway.

Balluzzo, 64, was an 11-time champion at Langley Speedway.

Hampton Public Safety Communications received a call just after 9:45 p.m. on Saturday for a report of a motor vehicle extrication at Larry King Law’s Langley Speedway.

Members of the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene and found Balluzzo suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment where he later succumbed to those injuries.

Hampton Police officials said the initial investigation revealed that during a scheduled race, two vehicles came in contact with one another sending one vehicle into a protective wall.

“The Modified Class race car is not a motor vehicle produced for highway driving. The vehicle was secured by NASCAR Officials at the safety inspection garage at the track for inspection of safety devices,” said police officials in a statement released.

“A detailed NASCAR report is forthcoming. The Hampton Police Division documented the incident as an industrial accident and the follow-up investigation will be handled by the appropriate authorities.”

A statement from Virginia Motor Speedway remembers Balluzzo as a champion both on and off the track.

“He won the hearts of our fans with 11 track championships and a driving style that made him one of the most respected competitors we’ve ever known.”

Balluzzo was featured in a story by WAVY News 10’s Nathan Epstein last year after his daughter was diagnosed with pediatric Leukemia.