WELCOME, N.C. — A crew member for Richard Childress Racing has died of complications from the H1N1 virus.

Donald "DJ" Richardson died late Friday after a lengthy hospitalization for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Richardson contracted H1N1 during a Thanksgiving visit to his home state of Massachusetts, and team officials say he had been hospitalized at Health Alliance Hospital in Leominster the entire time.

The 37-year-old Richardson spent last season as a tire changer on Kevin Harvick's crew.

He began his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career with Andy Petree Racing in 1999 and had previously worked for Penske Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Braun Racing.