BUFFALO TWP — A race car driver died early Friday from injuries he suffered Thursday night in a crash at Lernerville Speedway.

Bill Henry, 51, of Leechburg was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital following a single-car crash during a qualifying run for the Senior Sportsman Stock Car race.

Lernerville officials said that Henry died overnight at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office said Henry died at 2:42 a.m. Friday from injuries to his neck and body.

It was the opening night of the Steel City Stampede.

The weekend-long event continued Friday night with nearly 250 cars running.

Track officials said they spoke with Henry’s family before continuing the race.

Henry graduated from Leechburg High School in 1984. He worked at Hetrick Manufacturing in Lower Burrell as a tube bender.

Henry was a fan of racing and also competed at the Motordrome and Jennerstown speedways in Westmoreland and Somerset counties.

He is survived by his mother Shirley Fouse of Leechburg, a brother, three sisters and his extended family.

Henry, who also enjoyed billiards and played at the White Star Club in Buffalo Township, was described as “the rock” of the family in his obituary.

The Janette L. Gamble Funeral Home in Vandergrift is handling the funeral arraignments.

The Steel City Stampede is the final race operated by World Racing Group of Charlotte, N.C., which has owned Lernerville since 2005.

Tomson Scrap Metal of Brackenridge bought the speedway in May.