Gonyo was wearing a helmet and seatbelt when the accident occurred. He was pronounced dead at Rutland Regional Medical Center. The exact cause of his death was not yet disclosed.The organizers of the competition issued a release in his memory saying: “Much more than just a winner, Leon Gonyo was a very well-respected and highly regarded member of the local stock car racing community, and was presented with Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s highest honor for 2013, the John Bruno Award, which is given annually to someone who has made a significant contribution to short track racing during their lifetime while maintaining high standards of conduct and respect on and off the track.”
