A member of a NASCAR team was shot to death outside his home in Alexander County late Saturday. Jimmy Sprinkle, 44, was a mechanic for the Red Bull racing team. He had been a member of the test team crew for about a year. Sprinkle lived on a farm in northeast Alexander County north of Hiddenite.

He spent the afternoon working on his yard, then saw someone coming down his long gravel driveway around 10:30pm. Saturday and went out to investigate. That’s when the person shot him once in the chest and died at Iredell Memorial Office. Alexander County investigators and State Bureau of Investigation agents believe they’ve found the shooter’s vehicle, a white 1980s model Monte Carlo with a dark blue top. They are not commenting on a motive in the case. Although Sprinkle had spent much of his life in and around racing, his wife says he also had a life away from the track.

“We live in the farming community, he helped plow many gardens, he’s out with fertilizer, anything they need to do with cattle and horses,” Sylvia Sprinkle said. Family members are still in disbelief and have many unanswered questions. Vickers’ team released a statement on Monday regarding Sprinkle’s death.

“He was a good guy, just a really good guy. He helped everybody,” said Sprinkle’s sister-in-law, Marcella Barlowe. “I just want to know who and I want to know why. I just want them to be caught. We are shocked and deeply saddened by the unfortunate loss of Jimmy Sprinkle’s life. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Jimmy’s family and friends. Jimmy was one of those hard-working crew guys with great personality that don’t come around very often. Jimmy will be sorely missed at the race shop and at the track,” it read.

The team, based in Mooresville, had a moment of silence at the start of the day for their lost member. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Alexander Crime Stoppers at (828) 632-8555.

wsoctv.com

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