Two killed in crash at California race track

Two killed in crash at California race track

Published Mar. 17, 2013 11:27 a.m. ET

MARYSVILLE, Calif. -- Authorities have identified the victims of a California raceway crash as a race car owner and the 14-year-old cousin of the teenage driver.

The Yuba County Sheriff's office said the crash occurred at Marysville Raceway Park in Santa Rosa when the race car driven by Chase Johnson careened off the track and into the pit row, striking and killing 68-year-old Dale Wondergem Jr. and 14-year-old Marcus Johnson on Saturday.

Chase Johnson, 17, was not injured in the accident.

Wondergem owned one of the cars at the track but not the car involved in the accident.
Steven Blakesley, the race announcer, said Chase Johnson was driving his car on the track at about 90 mph when it couldn't make a turn.

"There must have been a mechanical problem," Blakesley said. "The car didn't slow down."

The Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol are investigating to determine the cause of the crash.

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