Driver dies in crash at Richard Petty Driving Experience

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Feb 4, 2008 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

Richard Boswell, 60, of Apopka, FL died yesterday while celebrating his birthday at the Richard Petty Experience in Daytona.

Boswell was taking part in the 'Driver High Banks 8' and was in the 4th lap around the track when he began to drive erratically. At the time he was following the instructor's car and it is estimated that he was traveling at 70mph.

The Petty instructor reported seeing the participant slumped over the steering wheel and slowing down before hitting the inside wall of the track. The accident happened at 4pm and Boswell was pronounced dead at the Halifax Medical Center.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience has been in operation since 1998 and this is the first death reported at the facility.

Mr. Boswell was driving a Chevy Monte Carlo stock car and was wearing the required safety equipment. Following the accident, the car was impounded by investigators.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience was temporarily suspended following the incident. There are 25 tracks where this program operates including a speedway at Walt Disney World.