White House, Tenn. ? Busch Series driver Andy Kirby was killed when the motorcycle he was driving ran off a road and hit a tree, police said Friday.

Kirby, 40, lost control of his motorcycle on a curve at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, according to a report filed by Trooper Joseph Agee of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Kirby was wearing a helmet but driving at a high speed, Department of Safety spokesman Beth Tucker Womack said Friday.

The cycle slid about 174 feet before leaving the road, then another 42 feet into the tree.

No drug or alcohol involvement was suspected, and weather didn’t seem to be a factor, she said. There were no witnesses to the crash.

Kirby, ranked 36th in the standings, has started 12 Busch races this year.

Kirby’s highest finish of the season was sixth at the Aaron’s 312 on April 20 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Kirby spent eight years in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series at Nashville Speedway USA. He was rookie of the year in 1990 and points champion in 1997.

Kirby is survived by his wife, Dori, and three sons.