WEST HAVEN — A Manchester Center racecar driver died at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, apparently from what Vermont State Police are calling “a medical event” during a race.
According to a VSP press release, a car being driven by Ronald. W. Casey, 61, was on the ninth lap of a 35-lap event when it drove straight through a turn and straight into a wall, head on, at about 9:15 p.m. Casey was pronounced dead at the Rutland Regional Medical Center shortly after midnight.
VSP said the cause of death remains under investigation and an autopsy will be performed.
According to a statement released by Devil’s Bowl management, Casey “was stricken with what appeared to be a medical emergency that led to a crash.”
The statement said “Casey’s racecar suddenly veered off course through the infield at a high rate of speed and traveled through the infield grass before making a hard impact with a retaining wall in Turn 2 and coming to rest.  No other people or vehicles were involved in the incident.”
According to Devil’s Bowl officials, all of his car’s equipment was in working order, and the car was inspected after the crash and found “to be mechanically and structurally fit for competition.” 
The statement described Casey as “the epitome of the old-school, hard-working Vermonter” and “an impeccable ambassador for grassroots auto racing,” whose “warm, friendly demeanor was a welcome addition to every track at which he competed during his long career,” and who made a priority of “fun over success.”