Is Jason Priestley Still Racing Cars?

Yes—but only occasionally. As of 2025, Jason Priestley does not compete full time in professional motorsport. After a serious open-wheel crash in 2002, he scaled back to selective, lower-stakes appearances such as tarmac rallies, charity or exhibition events, and has remained involved as a team co-owner in the past and as an ambassador for the sport.

From Screen Idol to the Starting Grid

Long before “celebrity track days” were a social-media staple, Priestley was a bona fide racer. Through the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the Beverly Hills, 90210 star built a parallel résumé at the track, competing in club and pro-am sports-car categories and becoming a familiar name at events like Long Beach’s Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. His participation wasn’t a dabble; it reflected a sustained, technical commitment to driving and racecraft.

The 2002 Indy Lights–Level Crash That Changed His Trajectory

On August 11, 2002, Priestley suffered a high-speed crash during practice at Kentucky Speedway while preparing for an Indy Lights–level race (then the Infiniti Pro Series). The impact left him with serious injuries—including head and spinal fractures, and facial and lower-limb injuries—and required a lengthy recovery. In the aftermath, he stepped away from the pursuit of high-speed, open-wheel competition and re-centered his motorsport involvement around safer formats and off-track roles.

How He Has Stayed Involved Since

While he no longer runs a pro racing schedule, Priestley has kept a hand in motorsport through selective driving appearances and roles that leverage his experience and profile. The following points outline his post-crash engagement with the sport.

• Selective driving: Occasional entries in lower-risk formats such as tarmac rallies (for example, Targa-style events) and carefully controlled exhibition or charity runs, rather than sustained, high-speed professional series.
• Team ownership: Co-founded the FAZZT Race Team in IndyCar, which fielded Alex Tagliani and later integrated into the Sam Schmidt organization—an avenue that kept Priestley active in the paddock without being in the cockpit.
• Event ambassador and host: Regular appearances in ambassadorial roles at marquee North American events (including Long Beach and Toronto), plus periodic TV hosting and commentary tied to racing and automotive programming.
• Community and advocacy: Using his platform to support safety, driver development, and charitable initiatives linked to motorsport.

Taken together, these strands illustrate a measured, post-recovery presence: engaged, visible, and knowledgeable—yet deliberately short of full-time, high-consequence competition.

Where Things Stand in 2025

Priestley remains an enthusiast with the credentials to jump into select events, but there is no indication of a return to pro-level, week-in, week-out racing. Appearances—when they occur—tend to be for charity, promotional activations, vintage or rally-style events, and tightly managed track opportunities that prioritize safety.

What to Expect If He Races Again

If fans see Priestley back behind the wheel, it’s most likely to be in formats that balance competition with risk management. Here are the most plausible scenarios.

• Charity or exhibition events where pace and track conditions are tightly controlled.
• Vintage or historic racing, emphasizing car culture and craft over outright speed.
• Tarmac rally entries that feature modern safety equipment and regulations.
• Manufacturer or media track experiences linked to automotive launches or specials.

In short: keep an eye on event rosters and special features rather than pro-series entry lists; that’s where a Jason Priestley drive is most likely to surface.

Summary

Jason Priestley still drives competitively on occasion, but he’s not a full-time professional racer. After his 2002 crash, he refocused on selective, lower-risk events and meaningful off-track roles—including team ownership and ambassadorial work—remaining a respected and active figure in the motorsport community without chasing a pro racing calendar.

Does Jason Priestly race cars?

Considered as one of the most high-profile actors in Hollywood history, Jason Priestley began racing in 1991. The “Beverly Hills 90210” star competed in several races and bagged his first win at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 1998.

What new show is Jason Priestley in?

Private Eyes West Coast will see private investigators Matt Shade (Priestley) and Angie Everett (Sampson) solving cases in Victoria, British Columbia. Now leading different lives from their Toronto crime-fighting days, they encounter a world of different cases along with a new group of friends.

Did Jason Priestley and Shannen Doherty get along?

“Whenever I had the chance to spend time with her, I made sure that I said all the things that I wanted to say to her,” he explained. “So when she did pass away, I feel like her and I had said everything that we needed to say to each other, which I think gave me some closure right away, which was good.”

What accident did Jason Priestley have?

Jason Priestley was seriously injured in a major Indy Racing League (IRL) qualifying accident at the Kentucky Speedway in 2002, which resulted in a fractured spine, broken feet, and head injuries. He also sustained a concussion from falling off a horse while filming a TV series in 2015. The 2002 crash was a life-altering event that involved a head-on collision at nearly 180 mph, leaving him in critical condition, though he made a full recovery.
 
2002 Racing Accident

• The Incident: In August 2002, Priestley crashed his car into a wall at nearly 180 mph during practice for the Kentucky 100 Infiniti Pro Series race. 
• Injuries: He sustained a spinal fracture, broken feet, a broken nose, and head injuries. He also had a smashed face and a detached eyeball that needed to be removed and rebuilt, according to a CNN interview. 
• Recovery: Priestley was hospitalized in serious but stable condition and was expected to make a full recovery, though the accident profoundly changed his life, according to ABC News. 

2015 Horse Accident 

• The Incident: In November 2015, Priestley suffered a concussion after being thrown from a horse during a scene for the TV show The Code.
• Injury: He was taken to a neurologist for assessment due to a history of concussions.
• Recovery: He was advised to take a few days off but recovered and was able to return to work, notes CBC News.

Other Incidents

• 2025 No-Brake Incident: Opens in new tabMore recently, Priestley experienced another incident during a qualifying race where his brakes failed, causing him to steer into an escape road and have a significant collision with the tires, reports YouTube. 
• 2002 DUI Accident: Opens in new tabBefore the major 2002 race accident, Priestley was also involved in a DUI car crash in 1999 that totaled his Porsche and injured a friend.