An enormous blow to the hearts of stock car racing. Just one night after leading the most laps in the Martinsville Busch Bonanza stock car race on Friday, "Smokin" Joe Mersdorf was killed in a highway accident near his home in Cumberland, Virginia while returning from a sponsorship appearance at the Appomattox courthouse. Mersdorf turned 36 last Wednesday, finishing third in the the 2023 Busch Bonanza Championship and was a leading candidate for the title in 2024. He watched the race from Glenn Kaufmann's motor home, driving a Toyota owned by the former Extravaganza Series independent. "He was going east on highway 60, steered into a curve and apparently lost control," said Kal Buckner, a Virginia state trooper. "Apparently he was traveling at a high rate of speed, went sideways and couldn’t correct it." Coincidentally, Buckner attended the North Wilkesboro race in which Mersdorf finished 6th last fall. Mersdorf's sliding truck was struck on the driver’s door by a westbound car. The driver of that car Janet Duffy, 68, of Lynchburg, Virgina, was also killed. The accident occurred at about midnight, according to police. John Hidley of Conover North Carolina, Mersdorf’s car chief and jackman, was injured and was taken to the Centra Lynchburg Medical Hospital for treatment. Glenn Kaufmann, a multi-car team owner and former Extravaganza Series regular who owns Geer-5 Motorsports, picked up Mersdorf after his success at Motor Mile Speedway. He began competing in the Late Model SCUM (Super Crown Ultra Modified) Division just four years ago, winning the Championship for Kaufmann in 2021. "This is an enormous shock and is a loss we will feel even more in the days and weeks to come." said Kaufmann. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at Motor Mile, the site of Mersdorf's finest racing accomplishments. He won two track Championships there in 2015 and 2016. Although originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Mersdorf maintained a residence and racing shop in Farmville, Virginia and also owns a gas station there. "Joe was one of the most promising young drivers in the Extravaganza Series pipeline, so from that standpoint it’s a terrible loss for everyone who enjoys the sport,” said Dalton Lucas, owner of Lucas Hauling and the Bonanza Series teams for Rhamondre Diggs (#41) and Ronaldo Scott (#40). "Personally, it really hits hard because his cousin is one of my best friends in racing, and I know how badly he and the rest of the family are hurting right now. Someone that young, it’s a real tragic situation." Glenn Kaufmann, in addition to managing Mersdorf's career, was crew chief on the car since Bob Watkins left the team during the offseason. "I've always tried to hire the best people I can get for the team." Kaufmann said recently when asked about the #54 team. "I didn’t have much choice with Joe, but he’s turned out pretty good."