9. Tony Roper (October 13, 2000) - NASCAR Driver Is Fatally Injured After Smashing Into A Wall On Friday 13th
Anthony "Tony" Roper was one of the most-talented racing drivers in America when his career came to a tragic end in October 2000. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor was involved in a high-speed accident at the Texas Motor Speedway on Friday October 13, 2000 - and he died the following day as a result of his injuries. While he tried to overtake fellow driver Steve Grissom on the track, another competitor Rick Ware accidentally veered into the side of Roper's truck. Roper's vehicle then smashed front-first into Grissom's, before the Ford veered back the other way and crashed straight into a concrete wall at a terrifyingly-high speed. Roper was airlifted to hospital but succumbed to the injuries he had suffered on Friday 13th the following day at the age of just 35.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
