STAFFORD SPRINGS — Stafford Speedway is retiring the number of a NASCAR driver who died in a plane crash.
The track announced that Ted Christopher's No. 13 will be retired in a ceremony during races on Saturday, Sept. 30..
The 59-year-old Christopher was a passenger on a plane that crashed in North Branford on Saturday. The pilot, 81-year-old Charles Dundas, also died.
Federal officials said the plane had left Plainville's Robertson Airport headed for Long Island, New York. The cause remains under investigation.
Stafford Speedway General Manager Mark Arute called Christopher "a fixture" at the track. His first start at Stafford was in May 1983, his first win was in 1986, and his last was Sept. 8.
During his career, Christopher had 131 wins, 109 SK Modified wins, and nine SK Modified track championships.