John Haas, 55, a 30-year competitor on the drag boat racing circuit, died from internal injuries in the 200 mph crash Saturday, the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle reported.
Haas had recently piloted his Speed Sport Special to victory in the 25th annual Augusta Southern Nationals.
"We're just in shock," Dayton Sherrouse, chairman of the Southern Nationals, said. "It is very, very sad".
"He had been coming here a long time," Sherrouse said. "This year, after he won, there was a long line of kids wanting to get pictures taken with him and get T-shirts signed. He was very patient and nice to all of them". UPI
