Bobby East‘s death has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community. While he was an avid racer with the United States Auto Club, he also saw equal success as a NASCAR driver for many years in the early 2000s. 

East was killed after being stabbed at a Los Angeles gas station by Trent William Millsap, a homeless man in the Westminister area.Though East was rushed to a local hospital, he was later pronounced dead.

The police were on the lookout for Millsap, who had an outstanding parole warrant to his name. Following a tip that the suspect was in an apartment in the Anaheim area, a SWAT team raided the place, resulting in a shootout between Millsap and the authorities. The aftermath of the shooting left the suspect dead and a police dog wounded from a non-life threatening gunshot wound. 

Also Read: Bobby East death: 5 things to know about the NASCAR star stabbed at 37

USAC Years

East won the USAC midget race at 16, the youngest person ever to do so, in 2001. Shortly after, in 2004, he won the USAC midget championship.

NASCAR Years

In 2006, East decided he wanted to aim higher, and began racing under the banner of Wood Brothers Racing at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Through his time there, he made 31 career Truck Series starts and finished eighth twice, his best finishes. 

At the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he made 11 career starts for the Brewco Motorsports in the 2007 season.

Also Read: Bobby East dead: Tributes pour in for the NASCAR star

Back to USAC

Following his mediocre success at NASCAR, East returned to the USAC to keep building a legacy. He won two Silver Crown championships in 2012 and in 2013.  Unique to East was that he was the first driver to have wins on both dirt and pavement tracks across all the national divisions, Silver Crown, Sprint Cars, Midgets). Throughout his career, East won a total of 48 victories through his time at the USAC.