Ron Pestana Remembered as ‘Nicest Guy,’ Was Experienced Racer

The local racing and music communities lost someone well-known Saturday night, July 14, when John Ronald Pestana was in Roseville.

Pestana was participating in the Spectator Racing Series, a racing event that allows people to race rented stock cars, when the car he was driving crashed head-first into the racetrack wall adjacent to the off-ramp during the first turn on the fourth lap, according to witnesses. Pestana was killed in the crash.

Dena Erwin, spokesperson with the Placer County Sheriff's Department, said the Placer County Coroner’s Office is conducing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Although Pestana was participating in an amateur racing series, he was an experienced driver and had raced at the Roseville track before, according to All American Speedway manager Ken Brooks. Pestana won the Mini Super Truck championship at the former Altamont Motorsports Park in Alameda County in 2006 and competed in several other races, according to a Facebook page set up in Pestana’s memory: RIP Ron Pestana.

Pestana, who went by Ron, was also passionate about music and combined that passion with racing to form “Ron Pestana and the Pit Crew” and produce racing music with friend Bill Bentley. Together they produced and released two CDs.

Brooks said he first met Pestana last year during the Spectator Racing Series. Pestana’s band had played at the All American Speedway and Brooks was working on setting the band up to play during Fan Appreciation Night in Roseville this year.

Although Brooks knew 60-year-old Pestana on a mostly professional level, friends said Pestana was always the first one to help out.

“Ron was one of the nicest guys you ever want to meet,” Brooks said. He was “always willing to help.”

Pestana was from Byron in the Bay Area and had raced and visited the All American Speedway racetrack multiple times.

“He’s going to be sorely missed here at the racetrack,” Brooks said.

After news of Pestana's death, fans, friends and family members .

"Ron you will be missed. But not forgotten in any way. You music will rock on. And your racing will always be talked about. Thanks Ron," one person wrote on Facebook.

Pestana was also a licensed Realtor with WR Properties, located in Brentwood in the Bay Area, according to a short bio on his Facebook page.

Saturday’s tragic crash was the third fatal accident at the All American Speedway since the track’s opening in 1954, according to officials. According to a letter from Brooks to racetrack fans, investigators noticed that there were no skid marks on the track where Pestana crashed, which has led some to wonder if Pestana suffered a medical emergency before the accident. However, the cause of death has not been determined yet.

A memorial lap and moment of silence will be held during the opening ceremony Saturday, July 21 at the All American Speedway in honor of Pestana.

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