Jason Statham did not return for "Death Race 2" primarily due to scheduling conflicts and the fact that the film serves as a prequel to "Death Race" (2008), which starred him as the lead character, Frankenstein. "Death Race 2" features a different storyline and focuses on the character's backstory, which allowed for a new cast, including Luke Goss in the lead role. Statham's absence was part of the shift in narrative to explore earlier events leading up to the first film.

Yes, "Death Race 3: Inferno" is connected to the "Death Race" franchise, which includes the original 1975 film "Death Race 2000," directed by Paul Bartel. The franchise was rebooted with the 2008 film "Death Race," starring Jason Statham, which led to two sequels: "Death Race 2" (2010) and "Death Race 3: Inferno" (2013). All films share themes of high-octane racing and dystopian settings, with "Death Race 3" continuing the story of the character Carl Lucas, also known as Frankenstein, from the previous installments.

As of October 2023, there are four movies in the "Death Race" series. They are: 1. **Death Race** (2008) 2. **Death Race 2** (2010) 3. **Death Race 3: Inferno** (2013) 4. **Death Race: Beyond Anarchy** (2018) The series follows a dystopian future where prisoners participate in deadly car races for freedom and survival.