By REBECCA MAHONEY, Associated Press Writer
<br><br> LOUDON, N.H. (AP) - NASCAR's most famous driving
family has lost its youngest star.<br><br>Adam Petty,
stock car racing's first fourth-generation driver, died
after a crash during practice Friday, five weeks after
the<br> family buried patriarch Lee Petty, his great
grandfather.<br><br> The 19-year-old driver appeared to brush the wall
in Turn 3 before spinning out and<br> smashing
sideways into the concrete as he prepared for qualifying
for Saturday's Busch 200<br> on the 1.058-mile New
Hampshire International Speedway oval.<br><br> The
red-and-blue No. 45 Sprint PCS Chevrolet, which had been
traveling at close to 130<br> mph, did not catch fire, but
Petty was trapped inside for about 20 minutes before
rescue<br> workers cut through the roof to free him.<br><br>
He was taken to Concord Hospital, where he died of
head trauma, spokeswoman Jennifer<br> Dearborn
said.<br><br> A yellow tarp was draped over the car as it was
taken off<br>the track on a flatbed truck.<br>`I knew
it was a hard hit,'' said spectator David<br>
Henderson, who was at a nearby concession stand. ``At first,
everybody thought it was just a crash. Then it was like the
whole place went silent.''<br><br> Another fan, Andrew
Watson, had tears in his eyes after learning the crash
was fatal.<br><br> ``There's no way this was his
fault,'' said Watson, who said he knew Petty. ``He was a
nice<br> guy, a real nice guy. He was just following in
his family's footsteps.''<br><br> Lee Petty, one of
the pioneers of NASCAR, died April 5 at age 86 from
complications of<br> a stomach aneurysm several weeks after
surgery. Adam Petty had made his Winston Cup<br> debut
just three days earlier in Fort Worth, Texas,
finishing 40th.<br><br> Adam Petty is the grandson of
seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty and the son<br> of
Kyle Petty, a regular on the Winston Cup
circuit.<br><br> ``That's two big losses in the last month for
that family,'' said driver Randy Lajoie. ``We<br> know
when we leave pit row we may not come back. I thank
God every night I'm alive.<br> Tonight, I'll thank
him twice.''<br><br> NASCAR president Bill France
said the organization was praying for the Petty
family.<br><br> ``It is difficult to express our sadness over the
passing of Adam Petty,'' NASCAR<br> president Bill France
said. ``The Pettys are an integral part of the sport of
NASCAR. The<br> entire NASCAR community will miss Adam
Petty.''<br><br> In the Petty family hometown of Level Cross,
N.C., state and American flags were lowered<br> to half
staff. Adam's father, Kyle, was out of the country on a
personal trip, and the rest of<br> the family was
gathering in a private place, according to a statement from
Petty Enterprises.

Adam Petty Dies in Crash at N.H.<br>(AP) -
NASCAR's most famous driving<br>family has lost its
youngest star. Adam Petty,<br>stock car racing's first
fourth-generation<br>driver, died after a crash during practice<br>Friday,
five weeks after the family buried<br>patriarch Lee
Petty, his great grandfather

I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW SORRY I AM FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO ADAM PETTY. GOD BLESS
EVERYONE IN THIS TIME OF SORROW!!!

I just read the news that he died. I wonder what happened and my heart goes out
to his family and loved ones. Does anyone know what happened?

Like everyone else, i too am in total shock. How
can this happen to him? It doesn't make sense...But I
know for a fact that he is now with the Lord. He was
an awesome Christian. That gives out some comfort.
Of course my prayers are with his
family.<br>-Lynae<br>&lt;&gt;&lt;<br><br>Adam Petty <br>1980-2000

I heard the same thing on sports center, and a
couple of driver interviews they had from the track ...
If it was the throttle, would be the 4th or 5th time
for that to happen ;to that car just this year....
Something not right in the construction of those engines or
something

someone said throttle stuck-took head on shot-what happened?  anybody?

The hearts of my family goes out to the entire Petty Family and Petty
Enterprises. God Bless you all.<br><br>Amy aka MikeW7Fan

I'm in total shock.... I log on to the net and
find out Adam is dead??? No way this is horrible. I
can't believe this. *tears* I had ticket to watch him
race soon. I can't believe this. How awful. My prayers
are with his family.

I dont know what to say.<br>Im just shocked.<br><br><br>snpdrgon

I was so shocked, My prayers are with Kyle and Patti and the rest of the Petty's
in again this great sorrow.

I'M so sorry to here about Adam its just unbeliveable & unreal that something
like this could happen to someone so young

For those of you that dont know Adam died this
afternoon while at NHIR. The full story is here
<a href=http://www.nascar.com/news/2000/0512/1000497.html.
target=new>http://www.nascar.com/news/2000/0512/1000497.html.</a> Please know I
feel your pain and I want to let
all of the Petty family friends and fans to know the
whole NASCAR and fans are feeling the pain too.

I too was saddenned by the news that Lee had passed away.  My thoughts and
prayers are with the Petty family in this diffucult time of grief.

Lee was a great man, driver and business man.
NASCAR will not be the same without him. My thoughts and
prayers are with the Petty family during this time of
sadness. <br><br> Forever Petty,<br><br> Kylee

Adam did a great job at Texas in the Cup car. If only the motor hadn't gone
sour, he'll get them at Charlotte!!!!!!!!

Good luck at Las Vegas this weekend Adam. Can't wait to see you in a few weeks
at Bristol.

Hey Everyone! I just wanted to let everyone know
that I have an Adam Petty onelist @ onelist.com and if
anyone would like to join just e-mail me at
Jess1727@... and I can add you to the list. Thanx for your
time. <br><br>Jessica τΏτ

JUST WANTED TO WISH ALL ADAM'S FANS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hey everyone, I have several good pics from trip to the Bristol race, so if
anyone wants to see them, just e-mail me at petty4545@... and I'll send
them to ya.

Well I'm leave for Bristol, hope that Adam was a great qualifying and a great
run.  I might even get to meet him, I sure hope so.  Well hope yall have a great
weekend and cheer hard for him

Hi all I am a Big Adam Petty fan and I just found
the club. This is great I am so happy to be a member
of this club. If you haven't had a chance to visit
Adams websight you should he has alot of cool stuff in
there and he has a fan club too. talk to you later.
Good luck this week
Adam!!!!<br><br>Kim<br><br>www.adampetty.com is the web address

Since Michael Waltrip is having so much trouble
them dudes that run his club is sending messages to
him thru Mattei. If you want to send those messages
to him go to the links area of
<a href=http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/michaelwaltripfans
target=new>http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/michaelwaltripfans</a>

whats happening here to the postings.  Geee I thought more dudes would be
posting here.  Adam Petty be a cool dude.

ey I think its great for an Adam Petty club too.  Glad you got one.

e should start chat sessions.  anyone game for that.  if you are, please tell
me, thank you,<br>barron_mike

am a new member and am a big Adam Petty fan. He finished 4th in today's race at
California and it was great.

ello to all the fans on this page including the
founder, who all undoubtably love Adam Petty. I'm also a
fan although I just started to be. I do believe that
he has a bright future ahead of him in racing. He
seems to have the patience and knowledge to get him
there. Well I look forward to talking to all the members
of this club.<br><br>Dani

ello, i am glad that you have joined. we are now
to 3 members, that is not to bad for a new club.
what do you think of starting and adam petty web page?
if you would like to e-mail your suggestions to me,
my e-mail is barron_mike@...

just joined... it's great to see an Adam Petty
club! I became a fan last year after Adam's ARCA
victory, and I'll be cheering for him in the Busch series
this year as much as I can ^_^<br><br>andromeda_25