Funeral held for NASCAR driver Ted Christopher killed in plane crash
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Mourners have gathered in Connecticut to say goodbye to a NASCAR driver who died in a plane crash.
The Hartford Courant reports that the funeral for Ted Christopher was held Tuesday morning at a church in Bristol. A wake that took place Monday night in his hometown of Plainville was attended by an estimated 3,500 people.
The 59-year-old Christopher was a passenger on a plane that crashed in North Branford, Conn. on Sept. 16. The pilot, 81-year-old Charles Dundas, also died.
Federal officials say the plane had left Plainville’s Robertson Airport headed for Long Island, New York.
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Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn., recently announced that Christopher’s No. 13 will be retired on Sunday.
During his career, Christopher recorded 42 wins in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series and won the 2008 championship. He also earned 10 wins in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and six in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. Stevens also competed in 27 career races combined in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series between 1996 and 2006.
His biggest mark may have been in SK Modified racing, where scored 109 wins and nine SK Modified track championships.