Here are some recent death news stories in drag racing:

– *T.J. Bailey’s Tragic Death*: On March 9, 2025, veteran drag racing promoter, starter, and track prep specialist T.J. Bailey lost his life in a tragic accident near the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. Bailey, 42, was staying in a camper trailer with his family when a severe weather line, possibly a tornado, overturned the trailer, resulting in fatal injuries. His wife and two sons were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Bailey was a well-respected figure in the drag racing community and was set to work on-track operations for the TX2K event.

– *Drag Racing Accident Claims Six Lives*: In a separate incident, a drag racing car lost control and crashed into a crowd of spectators, killing six people, including two 15-year-old girls and a 17-year-old girl, in Elmer, Tennessee. The driver, Troy Warren Critchley, suffered minor injuries. The accident injured 18 others, including a 5-year-old boy.

– *Death of Drag Racing Legend John Winterburn*: Australian drag racing lost a legend with the passing of John Winterburn, also known as “Stomper,” on September 8, 2020. Winterburn was the founder of Willowbank Raceway and a longtime drag racing official. He was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame just days before his death.

– *Katie Iti’s Unfortunate Passing*: Drag racing community mourns the loss of 15-year-old Katie Iti, who died from complications related to influenza B. Katie was an enthusiastic drag racing fan and had completed her first season of racing her own car. Her death serves as a reminder to get vaccinated against flu.

– *Jiggly Caliente’s Passing*: Bianca Castro-Arabejo, known as Jiggly Caliente, a star of RuPaul’s Drag Race**: Jiggly Caliente passed away at 44 due to complications from a severe infection that led to surgery and the amputation of part of her right leg. ¹ ² ³