Race Driver Dies After Phoenix Crash

PHOENIX —  Auto racer James R. Haynes, 25, died Wednesday of head injuries sustained in a racing accident at Phoenix International Raceway last Sunday.

A track spokesman said Haynes, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., died at 10:45 a.m. at Barrows Neurological Institute of St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Phoenix.

Haynes was flown by helicopter to the hospital after his car crashed during the roadster division championship race of the U.S. Auto Club’s Copper World Classic.

On lap 23 of the race, Haynes’ racer hit the wall on both the third and fourth turns, then went down the track along the pit wall and into the wall in the first turn before coming to a stop.

Haynes began his racing career on motorcycles before switching to sprint cars in 1978.

He was well known at tracks near his Florida home--Sunshine Speedway at St. Petersburg, the Florida State Fairgrounds Speedway at Tampa and the DeSoto Speedway at Bradenton.

Haynes competed in the “Little 500” at Anderson, Ind., in 1983 and 1984 and was the runner-up in that race last year.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Jennifer.