I didn't actively follow him, but I knew about him and have watched him race. I was really shook up about it, felt sick to my stomach. He was a great driver and apparently a really likable guy.
This is one of the parts I really hate about motor racing. I cant think of many other sports where the possibility of death on the playing field is a real possibility. Also this being an individual sport you get to know each competitor well, so when something like this happens, a lot of fans are left with nothing.
Truly a sad, sad, day.