NASCAR star Bobby East has been stabbed to death while filling up his car at a California gas station.
East, 37, died of his injuries after the stabbing in Westminster, California, according to police.
Police are hunting for suspect Trent William Millsap, 27, for the murder of the three-time US Auto Club (USAC) champ.
East was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, police released a photo of Millsap saying he is armed and dangerous.
“The victim was found on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest area.” Westminister Police said in a statement.
“Officers attempted life-saving measures until OCFA paramedics arrived and transported the victim to a local trauma center, where the victim succumbed to his injury.”
According to The Daily Mail:
Police said Millsap, a transient who frequents the area, was also accused of stabbing another man at the 76 gas station before allegedly attacking East.
Officials said Millsap, who has distinct tattoos all over his body, should be considered armed and dangerous. The homeless man also has an outstanding parole warrant.
East, of Torrance, California, was a star in the racing world, capturing three USAC national driving titles and winning the SAC Silver Crown championships in 2004, 2012 and 2013.
NASCAR star Bobby East, 37, is stabbed to death at California gas station as he filled up his car https://t.co/1QeJzqiEIH pic.twitter.com/jtZqr2q3XS
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) July 16, 2022
BREAKING: NASCAR star Bobby East is stabbed to death by known transient at a Los Angeles gas station pic.twitter.com/9xxFYOBfm2
— Art TakingBack 🇺🇸 (@ArtValley818_) July 16, 2022
I have the best memories of working with Bobby East. In an open wheel car, there was no one better. So sorry to hear the news today. My love and thoughts are with his parents Bob and Janice, and the entire East family. Race in peace Bobby 🏁 pic.twitter.com/jNh8RFuwPL
— Charles Krall (@ChasKrall) July 15, 2022
According to Racer:
East, a native of Torrance, Calif., who made his home throughout his racing career in Brownsburg, Ind., captured 56 career USAC-sanctioned feature victories, 48 of them in national divisions.
He took three USAC national driving titles, starting in 2004 with the USAC National Midgets and twice more with back-to-back USAC Silver Crown championships in 2012 and 2013.
The son of USAC Hall of Fame car builder Bob East, Bobby was an immediate success in his USAC career.
His first career triumph with the USAC National Midgets in 2001 at Schererville, Indiana’s Illiana Motor Speedway made Bobby the youngest USAC national feature winner ever at the time, at the age of 16.
His three winning performances in 2001 made him the winningest USAC National Midget Rookie in more than a quarter century. Ultimately, he was rewarded as the series’ Rookie of the Year.
In his career, East totaled 22 USAC National Midget feature wins, the majority of which came for the series’ winningest team owner, Steve Lewis, and his legendary “Nine Cars.”
