Top Sportsman racer William Janke of Newburgh, New York was fatally injured Sunday while competing at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the Lebanon Valley Dragway in West Lebanon, New York. Janke, a veteran of the fast bracket racing eliminator, lost control of his 2013 Chevrolet Camaro at the finish line and left the racing surface.

William (left) with his son at a PDRA event.

Said William’s wife of 28 years, Meredith, in an online statement: “My husband Bill Janke who I love with all my heart has gone to heaven today after a horrible car crash that took his like. He absolutely love drag racing! It was his life and passion. Please know that he loved his drag racing family! You were the world to him! I truly loved my husband with all my heart and I really don’t know how I’m going to survive this. We met on a blind date and fell in live instantly. He asked me to marry him two months later and married a year later.”

Special media was flooded with remembrances of the northeast racer by those who had competed with and watched him race in the category for more than a decade with the NHRA and PDRA. Racing activities at Lebanon Valley were suspended for the day following the accident. Eliminations will continue on Monday morning.

In a fitting adieu for a man who dedicated much of his life to drag racing, William turned on the win light in his final race.