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Husband of NASCAR’s Lesa France-Kennedy Killed in Plane Crash

Daytona Beach News-Journal is reporting that Dr. Bruce Kennedy, the husband of International Speedway Corporation president and NASCAR board member Lesa France Kennedy, was one of two people killed Tuesday morning when a plane crashed into two houses near Sanford, Fla. a suburb of Orlando.

The paper cited sources close to Daytona International Speedway and NASCAR confirmed Kennedy?s identity as one of the fatalities. The identity of the second person on the plane was not available.

The plane, a twin-engine Cessna 310, was registered to Competitor Liaison Bureau Inc., a company affiliated with the France family. The Cessna 310 was the first twin-engine plane built by Cessna went into production in 1954 and was built to 1980. A similar plane was used in the popular late-1950’s television show “Sky-King.”

The plane took off from Daytona Beach International Airport just before 8:30 a.m. The pilot declared an emergency, reporting smoke in the cockpit, and tried to make an emergency landing at Orlando Sanford International Airport. The plane impacted about a mile short of the airport crashing into a neighborhood.

Matt Minnetta, a fire investigator with Sanford Fire Department, said two people aboard the plane were confirmed dead in the crash and the plane itself was scattered in several pieces. At least three people were injured in one of two homes gutted by fire. Injuries include a boy about 10 years old who had burns over 80 to 90 percent of his body, Minnetta said.

A search is on for a 4-year old boy who is unaccounted for.
A source told the Daytona Beach newspaper that Kennedy, a Daytona Beach plastic surgeon, was practicing for his pilot’s license.

Lesa France Kennedy is the daughter of the late NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr., who died June 4. Her brother, Brian, is the current chairman and chief executive officer of NASCAR.

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As of 2:10 EST, various news agencies are reporting that 5 people have been killed in the plane crash that occurred earlier today in Sanford, Fla.

NASCAR confirmed that Dr. Bruce Kennedy, a Daytona Beach plastic surgeon and husband of International Speedway Corporation President Lesa France Kennedy, and NASCAR Aviation pilot Michael Klemm were among the dead.

The identities of the victims on the ground were not immediately released.
Authorities said an adult and two children died in the homes that were quickly gutted by the fire after the airplane crashed in the suburban Orlando neighborhood around 8:40 a.m.
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Statement from NASCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 10, 2007) ? ?This morning, at approximately 8:40 a.m. Eastern Time, a Cessna 310 registered to Competitor Liaison Bureau, Inc. of Daytona Beach, crashed in a Sanford, Florida, area neighborhood. At this time, we can confirm there were two people on-board, including the pilot, Dr. Bruce Kennedy and Michael Klemm, a senior captain with NASCAR Aviation. Both were killed in the crash.

?Dr. Kennedy was the husband of NASCAR Board Member and ISC President Lesa France Kennedy.

?It is clear that numerous families were affected by this terrible tragedy and unfortunately several people were deceased or seriously injured. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with all of those who were involved in this tragic accident and their families. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.?

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