ARCA driver killed

CONCORD, N.C., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Blaise Alexander Jr., a 25-year-old race driver from Montoursville, Pa., was killed Thursday when he slammed into the retaining wall on the last lap of the ARCA Easy Care 100.

Alexander had just taken the lead from Kerry Earnhardt when their cars collided on the front stretch as they raced each other. The car of Earnhardt, oldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt, bounced off Alexander's car, flipped on its roof and skidded down the front stretch. Alexander crashed almost head-on into the outside retaining wall.

He died of a severe head injury.

The race was halted and Earenhardt, who climbed uninjured from his upside-down, burning car, was declared the winner.