NASCAR star Bobby East stabbed to death at a California gas station.

The attack unfolded at around 5:51pm on Wednesday afternoon when East was filling up his vehicle at the 76 gas station in Westminster, Orange County, police said.

Westminster police officers arrived on the scene to find the racing star lying on the ground suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest.

East was rushed to hospital where he died from his injuries.

The suspect had fled the scene before officers arrived.