2 Spanish Motorcycle Racers Killed In Crash At Mazda Raceway At Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, Calif. (AP) -- Two Spanish racers were killed in a chain-reaction crash on the first lap of a World Superbike race at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca.

Monterey County Sheriff's Officer spokesman Cmdr. John Thornburg on Monday confirmed the deaths in Sunday's crash. The Monterey Herald reports thunderstorms had drenched the track ahead of the race.

Race organizers MotoAmerica identified the dead as 35-year-old Bernat Martinez and 27-year-old Daniel Rivas Fernandez. Both were taken to hospitals, where they later died.

Thornburg said his office is not investigating the crash at Sunday's second MotoAmerica Superbike/Superstock 1000 race, which appears to be an accident.

MotoAmerica president Wayne Rainey sent condolences to the families in a statement released by the organization.