Bobby East was a multi-time USAC champion
On July 13, 37-year-old Bobby East was involved in an altercation at a gas station in California. He was stabbed.
Police arrived on the scene to see East with a “serious chest wound”. He was transported to a trauma center where he later passed.
The only suspect was Trent William Millsap who police described as a dangerous homeless man. He was later killed by police.
East was a three-time USAC National Champion. He claimed titles in USAC Silver Crown and Midgets. He first came in 2004 via USAC National Midgets.
The driver won 56 USAC sanctioned features. 48 of those came in national division races.
His first win back in 2001 at Illiana Motor Speedway made him the youngest USAC feature winning in history, at age 16. He became Rookie of the Year as he claimed 3 victories in his debut season.
He claimed 11 victories in USAC Silver Crown. That places him 9th on the all-time list.
An additional 15 wins were collected in the USAC National Sprint Car Series.
His last USAC National win came in 2013 at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Colorado. His last USAC start came in 2014 at New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse where he led 54 laps and finished 3rd.
Between 2005-2008, East ran 11 NASCAR Xfinity Series races. In that same period he also ran 31 NASCAR Truck Series races, collecting two top-10s.
He was the son of Bob East, famed USAC Hall of Fame car builder.
In a statement, USAC noted East as, “one of the most prolific drivers of his era.”
Trent William Millsap killed by SWAT during search
SWAT engaged a “search/arrest warrant” for suspect Trent William Millsap on Friday. The search took place in the 3300 block of Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim, CA.
“During the service of the search warrant, an officer involved shooting took place,” the police department said Friday.
They added, “No officers were injured; however, a police K-9 sustained a single gunshot wound that was not life threatening. The Westminster Police Department, along with members of the Orange County District Attorney’s office are currently investigating the shooting.”
Millsap had outstanding parole warrant, aside from being the murder suspect. Police declared him armed and dangerous in a Thursday statement.
