Pocono Lightning Strike Leaves One Dead And Nine Others Injured After NASCAR Sprint Cup Race

Track president president Brandon Igdalsky told NASCAR.com that a 41-year-old man injured by a lightning strike which occurred shortly after the weather-shortened conclusion of the Pennsylvania 400 had been pronounced dead by Dr. Peter Favini, the emergency room director at Pocono Medical Center in nearby Stroudsburg, Pa.

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

Track spokesman Bob Pleban told ESPN.com that nine fans, including the fatality, were injured from a strike that occurred in a parking lot behind the main grandstand shortly before 5 p.m. The 10th injury came from a strike near Gate 3 between Turns 1 and 2.

"We are deeply saddened that a fan has died and others were injured by lightning strikes following today's race at Pocono," NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with them as well as all those affected by this unfortunate accident."

Pocono Raceway issued a warning on Twitter and Facebook before the race at 4:21 p.m. that severe weather was on the way. Shortly before 5 p.m. the track issued another warning via the social media sites for fans to seek shelter because heavy winds and lightning were in the area.

According to reports, the strikes came right after the 160-lap race was called for rain on Lap 98. Race winner Jeff Gordon was on his way to Victory Lane when the strike behind the grandstand occurred.

"We were walking down pit road, the umbrellas weren't doing any good," Gordon told ESPN. "There was a huge, huge crack from lightning. You could tell it was very close."

NASCAR drivers took to Twitter in an effort to share their condolences and feelings once they heard the unfortunate news.

"I want to throw up after reading the [news] of today's tragic death," Penske Racing Driver Brad Keselowski wrote in a series of tweets. "... How terribly, terribly sad ... My condolences to the family. ... Hey fans -- we do this for you. So when something like this happens and takes one of you from us, it hurts."

"I just got home and found out about the tragic loss we had today at Pocono, I am so sorry for the [families] that were involved," tweeted NASCAR veteran Mark Martin.

Pocono staff said late on Sunday that no further information on the deceased spectator was immediately available because the family still was being notified.