Mexican driver Carlos Pardo,33, has been killed in a brutal crash during the final laps of a NASCAR Mexico race, at Autodromo Miguel E. Abed, in Puebla.

Pardo was leading the race in the 97th lap when his car was nudged from behind in the left rear quarter panel by competitor, Jorge Goeters, and slid sideways t-boning into the water filled containment wall at the entrance to the pit lane at about 220 k.p.h. on Sunday. The car disintegrated as a result of the impact.

Carlos Pardo was a tremendous competitor and person. On behalf of everybody in the NASCAR family, our thoughts and prayers go out to Carlos’ family and friends.”
-Chad Little, Director of Racing Development, NASCAR Mexico

Given the magnitude of the impact, emergency medical staff took over twelve minutes to extract him from the wreck. He was then airlifted to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead 45 minutes later. He is survived by his wife and two young children.

Sunday’s event concluded due to the time limit following the accident. In accordance with the series rule book, the finishing order reverted back to the last completed green-flag lap and Pardo, who was leading at that time, and was posthumanly declared the winner.

Pardo had competed in 74 NASCAR Mexico Series events with 10 career wins and claimed the 2004 series championship. He also competed in the 2006 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Mexico City.