Mayhem struck the Pocono Raceway this weekeend as severe thunderstorms and rain halted the NASCAR Pocono 400 Sprint Cup race after 98 laps into the 160-lap event.
Track officials warned spectators of the thunderstorms and recommended shelter as soon as possible.
Jeff Gordon, winner of the interrupted race, was heading to Victory Lane after a 31-race drought, when two lightning strikes hit ten fans, one of whom was instantly killed, and according to reports, while leaning on or sitting inside his car behind the main grandstand, while the remaining nine were injured – one critically.
David Higdon, NASCAR spokesman, expressed his deepest condolences: “We are deeply saddened that a fan has died and others were injured by lightning strikes following today’s race at Pocono”.