1 dead, 9 injured at Pocono Raceway as storms shorten NASCAR race

Severe thunderstorms devastated fans hanging around trying to enjoy the post-race atmosphere at the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania over the weekend. The NASCAR Pocono 400 Sprint Cup race itself had been halted 98 laps into the 160-lap event because of rain, and track officials twice warned spectators that severe thunderstorms were on the way and to find shelter.

According to reports, while race winner Jeff Gordon was heading to Victory Lane, the arriving storms brought two lightning strikes that hit ten fans. One man, who was said to be "either leaning on or inside his car when the car was struck by lightning," was killed in the strike behind the main grandstand. The other nine were injured, one critically, in that strike and the second strike by one of the gates.

It was a tragic epilogue to Jeff Gordon winning his first race in 31 tries. Our condolences to the families of all those affected.