Robbie Brewer, racing star, dies at 53 in tragic Bowman Gray crash

Robbie Brewer, a veteran racer at Bowman Gray Stadium, died Saturday night after a medical emergency led to a crash at the historic North Carolina short track, according to FloRacing.

The 53-year-old Winston-Salem native, competing in the Sportsman division, was running fourth with four laps remaining in the first of two 20-lap features when his No. 17 car veered into the outside wall in turns three and four, then slammed nearly head-on into the front-straightaway wall.



Sources also told FloRacing that Brewer suffered a heart attack in the car, causing the accident.

Track crews quickly responded, removing the roof of the car to extricate him before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Brewer’s family confirmed his passing Sunday morning.

According to FloRacing, an 11-time Sportsman winner and the 2011 division champion, Brewer made 311 career starts at Bowman Gray - 24 in Modified, 259 in Sportsman, and 28 in Stadium Stock - with his debut coming in 1990 in the Buzzbomber division.


His best Sportsman season came in 2015 with four victories. Beyond the Stadium, Brewer excelled in 602 Modified competition, amassing double-digit wins and capturing the 2018 and 2019 602 Modified Tour championships, as well as the 2016 602 Super Limited Series title.

Brewer’s death marks the fifth fatality in Bowman Gray’s racing history, the most recent since 2002. Known for his iconic green No. 68, Brewer was a fixture in the local racing community for over three decades, earning respect for his skill, consistency, and dedication to the sport. His passing leaves a deep void in the Bowman Gray family.