Tony Stewart Racing Shares Devastating Message on the Loss of an Unsung Hero at Kennedale

Saturday night under the lights at a dirt track is usually a place of organized chaos. The smell of methanol fuel, the deafening roar of 900-horsepower engines, and the flying clay all come together to create a spectacle that sprint car fans live for.

But this past Saturday, the chaos at Kennedale Speedway in Texas turned to tragedy, bringing the tight-knit racing family to its knees.

The World of Outlaws and the broader sprint car community are currently grappling with the devastating loss of longtime safety official Billy Hurt, who was killed during an on-track incident. Fellow safety official Jerry Myers was also injured in the same devastating sequence of events.

When things go wrong on the dirt, the safety crews are the first ones over the wall. They run toward the wreckage when everyone else is holding their breath. This weekend, that ultimate sacrifice became all too real.

1. Tony Stewart Racing and the Racing Community Respond

The dirt-track world is a massive traveling circus, but it operates like a small town. When someone hurts, everyone hurts. Tributes have been pouring in from drivers, crew chiefs, and fans across the country. One of the most poignant statements came from Tony Stewart Racing, a powerhouse organization in the sprint car ranks that understands the inherent dangers of the sport better than most. Taking to social media, Tony Stewart Racing posted: “Sprint Car racing is a small world… but we’re a tight-knit group. We all hurt when tragedy rears its ugly head. Hug your people and never forget what our safety teams provide for us every night at the track.” That sentiment echoes exactly what every driver feels when they pull on their helmet. The trust they place in safety officials like Hurt and Myers is absolute. Without them, the show simply doesn’t go on. As Myers continues his recovery and the racing world pays its respects to Hurt, the painful reality of motorsports safety is back in the spotlight. Track officials and racing organizations will undoubtedly launch thorough investigations into the incident at Kennedale. Racing has made massive strides in driver safety over the last two decades, from containment seats to head-and-neck restraints. But this tragedy serves as a brutal reminder of the vulnerability of the safety crews operating on foot around these powerful machines. Expect to see serious conversations in the coming months about track protocols, caution car procedures, and how to better protect the men and women who protect the drivers. For now, though, the focus remains on honoring a man who gave everything to the sport he loved. Billy Hurt was a hero long before this weekend, and his legacy will live on every time a safety crew jumps the wall to keep a driver safe.

2. The Night the Dirt Track Stood Still

Around 9 p.m. on March 14, 2026, the racing action at Kennedale Speedway came to a horrifying halt. While details of the specific wreck are still being reviewed by authorities and track officials, what we do know is that Hurt and Myers were doing exactly what they have always done: putting their lives on the line to assist a driver in need. While responding to a sprint car incident on the racing surface, both men were struck. Despite the frantic efforts of medical personnel at the track, Hurt succumbed to his injuries. Myers survived the accident and is currently recovering in stable condition, offering a small sliver of relief on an otherwise agonizing weekend for the sport. The news sent shockwaves through the pit area and the grandstands. For the drivers strapping into these incredibly fast, unpredictable machines, the men and women in the fire suits waiting in the infield are their guardian angels. When one of those angels falls, the entire sport feels the weight of it.

3. More Than a Safety Official: The Legacy of Billy Hurt

To call Billy Hurt just a safety official would be doing a massive disservice to the life he lived. Hurt was a cornerstone of public service and safety, both at the race track and in his community. A firefighter since 1982, Hurt spent decades mastering the art of crisis response. He was an extrication expert, the guy you wanted with the Jaws of Life when seconds mattered most. For over 23 years, he brought that elite, life-saving expertise to sprint car racing. If you’ve watched the American Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws, the Tulsa Shootout, or the legendary Chili Bowl Nationals, you’ve likely seen Hurt working the infield. Back home, his firefighting family felt the loss just as deeply. The Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 confirmed his passing, with President Zack Privette describing him as a mentor who “always came to work with a smile.” Hurt was the kind of veteran professional who set the tone for everyone around him. He was calm under pressure, deeply knowledgeable, and universally respected.

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