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Former NASCAR driver Townley killed in Georgia shooting

Investigators say a former driver in NASCAR’s lower divisions has been killed in a shooting in Georgia that also wounded a woman

Via AP news wire
Sunday 03 October 2021 20:43 BST
NASCAR Townley Killed Auto Racing
NASCAR Townley Killed Auto Racing (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A former NASCAR driver was killed Saturday in a shooting in Georgia that also wounded a woman, investigators said.

John Wes Townley, 31, died in the shooting in a neighborhood around 9 p.m., Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson told the Athens Banner-Herald.

A 30-year-old woman was hurt, but police didn't give details about her injuries.

Police have spoken to the shooter, who knew the victims. The shooting appeared to be domestic violence related, Athens-Clarke County Police Lt. Shaun Barnett said.

No charges have been filed and the investigation continues, Barnett said.

Townley raced eight seasons and made 186 starts across the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series, NASCAR's lower two national divisions. His victory in the Truck Series at Las Vegas six years ago Sunday was the only national series win of his career.

Townley drove a car owned by his father, who was a co-founder of the vehicle's primary sponsor, restaurant chain Zaxby’s.

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More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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