Fernandez Raci🉐ng and its sister team 🅠Super Aguri Fernandez Racing have been deeply saddened over the tragic death of teammate and friend John Martin Jr. who lost his life in a surfing accident in Nassau, Bahamas, on Friday. Martin was a mechanic on the team and also served as fueler on the pit crew for Kosuke Matsuura.

The son of former driver and team owner John Martin Sr. and his wife Linda, "Little John" or "LJ" for short, inherited his love of racing from his family. He attended his first Indianapolis 500 when he was ju𝕴st three-months old, and had been trac♍kside ever since.

LJ started his career with Bill Simpson Racing as a mechanic. Over the years, he worked with numerous drive𝄹rs including Adrian Fernandez, Roger Yasukawa, Franck Freon, Oriol Servia, Jon Fogarty, Dave Simpson, Mike Snow, Towns𒆙end Bell and Luis Diaz during his tenures with Bradley Motorsports, John Martin Racing, Dorricott Racing and Super Aguri Fernandez Racing.

Behind the wheel, ౠLJ began competing in go-karts at the age of 11. In addition to racing in Legends and Sports 2000, he also teste💖d in the former Indy Lights series.

Adrian Fernandez and the Martin family have had a close relationship dating back to 1992, when Fernandez drove for John Martin Rac💞ing with LJ as his mechanic in the Firestone Indy Lights Championship.

T👍he Martin family has been an integral part of Super Aguri Fernandez Racing since its inception in 2003, when John Martin Sr. joined his son on the team as a spotter for Yasukawa last year and Matsuura this season.

LJ was a native of Irvine, 🧔California, and resided in Indianapolis. He was 30 years old.

The following is a statement from Tom Andಌerson, Co-Owner and Man🦋aging Director of Fernandez Racing and Super Aguri Fernandez Racing:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to John and Linda and the entire Martin family, as well as LJ's girlfriend Megan and their many friends at this very difficult time. They are a very close family suffering a tragic sudden loss. On behalf of ꦅeveryone involved with our team, our heart♏s are heavy as we express our deepest sympathy.

"The racing community is very muc🌟h a family, and LJ had touched so many lives. This is obviously a difficult time for every꧋one on our team. LJ and the Martin family are very much a part of our 'family'. He will truly be missed by all of us, and we will hold dear our memories."