HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – There are a lot of questions about the tragic death of a driver on a northeast Harris County race track.
Investigators say David Minx was driving an 1/8-mile drag strip at the track in his 1967 Camaro on Sunday. But something went wrong, and Minx died.
Some drivers believe recent changes made to the track may have played a role in the crash.
The drag strip at Houston Motorsports Park is about 30 yards shorter than it used to be. Road construction decreased the length of the runoff area.
Minx, a 34-year-old father, was a lifelong lover of fast cars and co-builder of Mighty Mouse -- a fierce old school Camaro. The vehicle crashed at the end of the northeast side drag strip.
With the expansion of north Lake Houston Parkway, Houston Motorsports Park had to give back some easement and apparently that's made it anything but easy on drag racers.
It's not clear at this time what caused Minx to wreck or if a longer track would have saved him. But racers say hitting the barrels at full speed is akin to hitting a brick wall.
Officials from the racetrack sent the following statement.
"All of us at Houston Motorsports Park are deeply saddened by the recent death of David Minx on September 28th 2014. David was a well known and respected grudge racer that has been racing at HMP since day one. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, especially his Father Larry, Wife Amber and Son David. HMP will be accepting donations at the track on behalf of the family. HMP will also be donating a percentage of ticket sales from this coming weekends events. At this time we ask that you keep David's family in your prayers."
Yours Sincerely,
The Baker Family.