One week after he tragically was killed in a dirt track racing crash in New Jersey, the motorsports world said goodbye to Jason Leffler on Wednesday.
An overflow crowd packed Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius, N.C., for Leffler’s funeral service. About 600 miles to the north, Indianapolis Motor Speedway paid tribute to Leffler by illuminating the scoreboard atop the track’s famous pagoda with the number 50 — the number Leffler’s car carried when he ran in the 2000 Indianapolis 500 — as well as the years 1975 and 2013, marking his birth and death.
Many of Leffler’s fans as well as friends within the racing world took to Twitter after the one hour-plus memorial to share their grief and feelings.
Here is a sampling of those testimonials:
Great service and remembrance of #LEFturn reminds us to go work hard in all you do and to b caring and loving!! He's gunna b missed
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) June 19, 2013
Fun memories of a driver who loved racing, his family, friends and fans. Farewell Jason Leffler,… http://t.co/Exr7wZC0UE
— MISpeedway (@MISpeedway) June 19, 2013
Today we are honoring Jason Leffler by lighting the pagoda with his Indy 500 entry number. #LEFturn pic.twitter.com/BBMYrwkoG7
— Indy Motor Speedway (@IMS) June 19, 2013
#LEFturn hats may be ordered here. All proceeds go to the Charlie Dean fund in memory of Jason Leffler. #nascar http://t.co/51gHy3NOSC
— Brian Scott (@bscottracing) June 19, 2013
Headed today to celebrate the life of a True Racer......Jason Leffler! So much will miss seeing him around the race track!
— Larry mcreynolds (@LarryMac28) June 19, 2013
Tony Stewart Racing joins the racing family today in saying goodbye to our friend & competitor, Jason Leffler.... http://t.co/zhZJb2FulQ
— Tony Stewart Racing (@tonystewart_rcg) June 19, 2013
Excellent service honoring @JasonLeffler. Noted to work hard, race hard and play hard. Above all, great Dad. Proud to have known #LefTurn
— Winston Kelley (@WinstonKelley) June 19, 2013
Very nice service to honor Jason Leffler today...the stories paint a great picture of the person he was.
— Chris Dolack (@ChrisDolack) June 19, 2013
Prayers for @JasonLeffler 's family especially Charlie dean, may God give them strength & peace #lefturn
— Tasha McBride (@Tasha15McB) June 19, 2013
#LEFturn You will be missed @JasonLeffler . May God hold you tight from here on out. Keep a keen eye on your boy & guide him from up above.
— Just Jillian (@24CaliGal) June 19, 2013
Celebrating @JasonLeffler life today with everyone who loved him! Rest in Peace Jason! You will forever be missed! #LEFturn
— Ashley Allgaier (@AshleyAllgaier) June 19, 2013
The racing world will lay to rest a friend, competitor and father today. RIP Jason Leffler. #nascar #indycar
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) June 19, 2013
Go Rest High On That Mountain by Vince Gill just came on my iPod. Made me think of Jason Leffler #LEFturn
— Teresa (@KahneFrancis5) June 19, 2013