Motorsport veteran, 56, dies in horror crash as racing world in mourning | F1 | Sport

The motorsport community has been struck by another tragedy following the death of a veteran driver in a devastating crash on Saturday. Indianapolis 500 star Rick Treadway has died at the age of 56 following a motorcycle accident, according to Fox Sports.

He was the son of Fred Treadway, who was the owner of Treadway Racing. The race team, which Treadway drove for in 2002, secured victory at the 1997 Indianapolis 500. His passing comes just days after the sudden death of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who died at the age of 41 after battling pneumonia, which turned into sepsis.

Tributes have poured in for the former IndyCar driver from his team-mate to two-time Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Luyendyk wrote: “Sad news hearing Rick Treadway passed away last Saturday. Our condolences go out to my former @IndyCar team owner Fred Treadway, Janice and Brian Treadway.

“Rick was a fun, crazy, humble, wild and brave personality! RIP Ricky. We are thinking of you Treadway family.”

Racing reporter Bob Pockrass also shared the sad news and said: “Sad news: Rick Treadway, who started the 2002 Indianapolis 500, died May 30 in a motorcycle accident. He was 56.”

Treadway’s career pinnacle was the Indy 500 start, which earned him the opportunity to compete in 11 races during the 2001 and 2002 seasons for his father’s teams Treadway-Hubbard Racing and Treadway Racing.

Treadway made his INDYCAR SERIES debut in 2001 at Kentucky Speedway, with his last appearance coming in 2002 at the season finale at Texas Motor Speedway.

His finest result was a fifth-place finish at the 2001 season finale at Texas.

Away from INDYCAR, Treadway also took part in Formula 2000 junior formula racing as well as SCCA competition.