Former NASCAR Driver Killed in Shooting, Investigation Underway

Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley was killed in a double capturing Saturday evening in Athena, Georgia.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Division responded to a report of a capturing at about 9 p.m., ACCPD spokesman Lt. Shaun Barnett mentioned, in response to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Townley, 31, and a 30-year-old girl had each been shot, Barnett mentioned.

Townley died after being taken to a hospital. The girl was alive with critical accidents, he mentioned.

Police mentioned {that a} 32-year-old man from Dunwoody, Georgia, was a suspect within the capturing however had not been arrested. They didn’t determine the person however mentioned they have been in touch with him.

Barnett mentioned the incident has a hyperlink to domestic violence.

In line with Classic City News,  the home the place the incident came about was occupied by Laura Townley, who married the previous NASCAR racer in 2018 and from whom Townley was searching for a divorce.

The newspaper reported that Townley had an ax with him when he entered the home. Police wouldn’t affirm whether or not that was correct.

Townley’s dying was mourned on social media.

Rattling. Relaxation Straightforward JWT. Heartbreaking

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 3, 2021

I knew John Wes Townley since he entered the game.

He at all times handled me properly, mentioned hello and we checked in with one another on occasion when he left the game.

I’m saddned to listen to about what occurred and my ideas and prayers are with all of the events concerned. #NASCAR

— Chris Knight 👻🎃 (@Knighter01) October 3, 2021

RIP John Wes Townley

You deserved higher 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Op42j75Sb1

— Talhadega🏳️‍🌈🎃🧙 (@TiberiusYet1) October 3, 2021

Beautiful information about John Wes Townley. I favored taking with him. I assumed he’d be mad at me as a result of I used to be at all times all-in on the Rooster Man jokes, however he was good-natured about it. #NASCAR https://t.co/rNhtitBrKu pic.twitter.com/wWho09omQm

— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) October 3, 2021

Townley started racing on the age of 19 within the Xfinity Collection however crashed in seven of his 26 begins, in response to Yahoo Sports.

In his profession from 2008 via 2016, he made 76 Xfinity Collection begins and 110 Truck Collection begins. He completed first within the 2015 Truck Collection race in Las Vegas.

Townley started competing within the Truck Collection in 2012.

In 2015, he completed eighth general, with eight top-10 finishes in 23 begins.

Townley’s father, Tony Townley, is a co-founder of the rooster chain Zaxby’s. The chain helped sponsor him all through his racing career.