Racer Walt Nitto, Sr. died Monday, January 5 at Riverside Community Hospital, near his home in Riverside, California. He was 58.

Nitto died from heart failure, which was the result of a dislodged blood clot (related to recent knee surgery), according to his son, Walt Nitto, Jr.

Walt Nitto, Sr. was the AFM Number One plate holder in 1984 and 1985. More recently, Walt Nitto, Sr. and his son Walt Nitto, Jr. raced together in CVMA events.

Nitto, Sr. was seventh overall in the 2014 CVMA Top 10.

Nitto, Sr. was originally from Long Island, New York, and is also survived by his wife, Pamela, and another son, Eric.

Memorial services are pending and will be posted once they become finalized.

Update: 

Funeral services will held January 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Crossroads Church, 2331 Kellogg Ave., Corona, CA 92881.