safety
‘Our hearts are shattered.’ Middle Tennessee teen racer killed in crash at Duck River Raceway
By Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
LEWISBURG, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Middle Tennessee 17-year-old with a passion for cars and racing died following a tragic crash at Duck River Raceway Park over the weekend. Bentlee Potts, a rising senior at Santa Fe School, was killed after his car flipped during a race on Saturday night. By his side i...
Key takeaway (WSMV) - A Middle Tennessee 17-year-old with a passion for cars and racing died following a tragic crash at Duck River Raceway Park over the weekend.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The tragic loss of Bentlee Potts at Duck River Raceway Park is a stark reminder of the risks associated with racing in Middle Tennessee. As the community mourns the death of this young and talented racer, it's clear that his passing will have a lasting impact on the local racing family. The outpouring of support from the owners of Duck River Raceway Park and the community at large speaks to the strong bonds that exist within the racing community in this region. Potts's death also highlights the importance of safety measures at local racing venues, and it will be worth watching how the Bedford County Sheriff's Office investigation into the wreck informs any potential changes to safety protocols at Duck River Raceway Park. For now, the focus is on supporting Potts's family, including his cousin and best friend Austin, and his 9-year-old sister Mayce, as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LEWISBURG, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Middle Tennessee 17-year-old with a passion for cars and racing died following a tragic crash at Duck River Raceway Park over the weekend. Bentlee Potts, a rising senior at Santa Fe School, was killed after his car flipped during a race on Saturday night. By his side i...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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