Suit Filed Over Stock-Car Driver's Death In 1988

-- EVERETT

The family of a stock-car driver who died in a 1988 crash in Monroe has filed suit against the Evergreen Speedway racetrack operators, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. (NASCAR) and another driver involved in the crash.

In the lawsuit, filed in Snohomish County Superior Court, the wife of John Gay and her five children allege the defendants' negligence caused Gay's death.

Gay, 43, of Snohomish, died as a result of burns he received in the Aug. 20, 1988, crash.

The four-car accident occurred after a car in front of Gay's pulled around a stalled car, driven by Leonard Sundholm. Gay smashed into the rear of Sundholm's car.

After the crash, Marti Gay, other drivers and spectators said a yellow-caution flag should have come out when Sundholm spun into the infield.

But Mickey Beadle, one of the people named in the suit, previously has said it was normal ``not to go to yellow'' because Sundholm was on the inside of the track and, therefore, not in danger.

Beadle, one of two partners who lease the race track from Snohomish County, yesterday said he hadn't yet received a copy of the lawsuit and didn't have any comment.

In addition to Beadle, the lawsuit names Beadle's partner, Bob Beadle; their company, International Productions Inc.; NASCAR; and Sundholm and his wife.

Among the lawsuit's allegations are that the defendants failed to provide an inspection before the race to check safety standards, failed to provide adequate safety and fire personnel, failed to provide reasonable track illumination, failed to ensure all drivers weren't under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and failed to properly warn drivers of hazardous conditions.

Gay's family asked for a judgment in an amount to be proven at trial.