NASCAR champion Mike Stefanik -- a 9-time touring series winner -- died in a plane crash near Rhode Island on Sunday. He was 61.
Stefanik was flying a single-engine, single-seat Aerolite 103 -- which took off from the Riconn Airport in Coventry, Rhode Island -- when something went wrong.
Officials say the plane was attempting to return to the airport when it crashed in the woods near the runway, killing the pilot.
NASCAR chairman Jim France issued a statement remembering the former stock car racer ...
"Mike Stefanik was one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history, but even more so, he was a true representative of our sport," France said.