Select NASCAR teams have planned a touching tribute to Zach Yager, a pit road veteran, who passed away recently. Teams that were associated with him throughout his NASCAR career over the last decade will be running a special decal in his memory for this weekend’s race at Darlington.
Yager, a New York native, passed away at the age of 34. He was part of the Elite Race Services family that specializes in assembling and leasing pit crews to organizations across NASCAR’s National Series.
For the 2025 season, Yager was serving as the Jackman for the No. 39 RSS Racing team in the Xfinity Series and the No. 88 ThorSport Racing team in the Craftsman Truck Series. While the reason for his passing is unknown, a report confirmed that “social media posts had been made by members of Yager’s family, stating that Zachary had been missing since Monday, August 18.”
Yager had worked with JTG Daugherty Racing (now HYAK Motorsports), where he contributed to the team’s 2023 Daytona 500 victory. He also worked with Richard Childress Racing in the past.
Cory DeMarco, owner of Elite Race Services, said about Yager’s passing:
“Obviously, nobody saw this coming, and we’re in total disbelief. All of the guys send our thoughts and prayers out to his dad and family, right now.”
RFK will be placing decals honoring Yager on its Cup Series cars at Darlington Raceway. The team stated on X:
“Our hearts are heavy this week with the passing of one of our friends and former teammates, Zach Yager. Zach was a true athlete of the sport and a friend to many in the NASCAR family.
“In honor of Zach, our No. 17 car will carry a tribute decal this week in Darlington.
“Our hearts are with his family, friends, and loved ones as we remember him together. Rest easy, Yager.”
Our hearts are heavy this week with the passing of one of our friends and former teammates, Zach Yager. Zach was a true athlete of the sport and a friend to many in the NASCAR family.In honor of Zach, our No. 17 car will carry a tribute decal this week in Darlington.Our… pic.twitter.com/LKtOGEpFaJ
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) August 27, 2025
ThorSport wrote on X:
“This weekend all four ThorSport trucks will carry a memorial sticker in honor of our teammate and friend, Zachary Yager.
“We are deeply saddened by Zach’s unexpected passing. He was a vital part of our pit crew family – serving in many roles over the years, most recently as Jackman on the No. 88. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and community as we remember and honor him together. Zach will be missed.”
This weekend all four ThorSport trucks will carry a memorial sticker in honor of our teammate and friend, Zachary Yager.We are deeply saddened by Zach’s unexpected passing. He was a vital part of our pit crew family – serving in many roles over the years, most recently as… pic.twitter.com/miG3yUYl2x
— ThorSport Racing (@ThorSportRacing) August 26, 2025
Ryan Sieg posted:
“We are devastated at the loss of a member of the 39 team and the NASCAR family, Zachary Yager. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
We are devastated at the loss of a member of the 39 team and the NASCAR family, Zachary Yager. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/cEOcsndBmz
— Ryan Sieg Racing (@RyanSiegRacing) August 26, 2025
Chris Buescher wrote:
“Heavy emotions realizing we lost a wonderful person last week. Yager was such a good dude, super respectful, and just kind to my family and our racing family through the years. It was a pleasure racing and winning together. You will be missed sir.”
Heavy emotions realizing we lost a wonderful person last week. Yager was such a good dude, super respectful, and just kind to my family and our racing family through the years. It was a pleasure racing and winning together. You will be missed sir pic.twitter.com/aYhCyd7anW
— Chris Buescher (@Chris_Buescher) August 26, 2025
Our thoughts are with Zach Yager’s family during this difficult time.
The post Emotional NASCAR Tribute Planned After Crew Member’s Passing appeared first on Newsweek.
