Sean Vardell was also the owner of the Carolina Sprint Tour
Hickory Police reported a fatal crash on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The crash involved two vehicles on North Center Street.
The crash took place at 4:21 p.m.
Choeum-Mach Chang, 53, was driving south in a white Lexus SUV. He attempted to make a left turn onto 18th Ave Northeast when he was struck by a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Sean Darrel Vardell, 38, of Taylorsville was the rider. He was initial transported to Frye Regional Medical Center following the crash.
Vardell succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
The Hickory Police department is still investigating the crash. They posted the following statement as they seek more information:
“If anyone witnessed this traffic crash, or has information pertaining to this investigation, please contact Officer J. Watson at 828-328-5551 or email him at [email protected]”
Vardell was the owner of the Carolina Sprint Tour. The series fields dirt sprint cars in the southeast region. He was also a driver in the series.
Per a statement, the series will continue to race. This weekend, the event at Harris Speedway will pay $1,086 to win. 86 was the number used by Vardell on his dirt sprint car.
Carolina Sprint Tour Statement
The series issued the following statement on Sunday:
“As most already know, we lost our beloved friend, fellow racer and series owner,” CST opened in a statement.
“Our Carolina Sprint Tour family has been heavily impacted by this and can not begin to express the difference Sean made in all of our lives.”
“Sean was an incredible father, had a work ethics like no other, a free spirit in all he did, and the greatest passion for Sprint car racing. He ran this series with every fiber of his being and had one of the best damn series IMCA Racesaver has ever seen.”
“I, George Loux, have been in contact with Andy Stapp (race director), the other Carolina Sprint Tour officials and with the blessing and support of Sean’s family, at this moment plan to honor Sean by keeping this dream alive.”
“We will be racing at Carolina Speedway this Friday and Harris Motor Speedway Saturday and can’t wait to see all of you there celebrating Sean’s like with us.”
“We have had so many people reach out and offer to assist wherever necessary and I am so appreciative of that. Once we have more information on the rest of CST’s year, and services for Sean we will share more.”
