Rockey Keyes (Fatality)

[Malloy5311]

I'm new to this site, but I know that Rockey was very active. I thought that you guys might want to know that Rockey Keyes was killed in a racing accident in Houston,Texas Saturday. He crashed his cobra at the big end of the 1/4 mile. The crash is under investigation now, but that does not matter. We lost a friend and if you could pray for the family of Rockey Keyes, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure that anyone who met Rockey would only have good things to say about him. He was a great friend and a hell of a racer and died doing what he loved. I'm sure he has several pit spots reserved for us and probably has a couple of cold Coors Lights waiting.

Godspeed and R.I.P. Rockey you will be missed.

Chat and more details on Houston Raceway Park website.

[computerworks]

(Mod Note - ...sadly verified)

Rocky was a CC member, posting as 'rocket man'



Investigations planned in track fatality

By Jessica Robertson
Baytown Sun

Published August 7, 2006

Three agencies will conduct investigations on the cause of an accident Saturday night at Houston Raceway Park that resulted in the death of a longtime driver.

A Houston man, Rockey Keyes, was killed after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a retaining wall near the finish line. Race officials said he was driving more than 120 mph in a Super Comp car.

The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office will lead an investigation to determine how the accident was caused. Texas Department of Public Safety officials will assist in the technical aspect of the investigation, Justice of the Peace Larry Cryer said.

“We’re interested in finding out not only what caused the accident but what led up to him impacting the wall,” Cryer said. “We want to know whether it was a mechanical failure, driver error or something else.”

The National Hot Rod Association will also investigate the accident and safety issues at the track.

Track general manager Gerald Critchfield said race officials followed all NHRA rules and safety standards.

“We want to ascertain the reason the accident occurred,” he said. “We’ve certainly had our share of accidents for a multitude of reasons, but in 19 years, this is the first fatality we’ve had. We’re proud of our safety record. But even when you take all the necessary precautions, when you’re driving in excess of 120 miles per hour, it’s still a dangerous sport, and accidents happen.”

District 6 Councilman and local racing enthusiast Sammy Mahan was with Cryer when he received a call about the accident.

“Something happened that wasn’t supposed to happen,” Mahan said. “Those are real safe cars. Very rarely do you see an accident in one of those.”

Cryer arrived at the track after the accident but while Keyes was still in his car. On-site paramedics had already determined that Keyes was dead, Cryer said. Jefferson County Medical Examiners are expected to release autopsy findings later today.

Keyes raced on Houston-area tracks for the NHRA for more than 30 years, Critchfield said, and was respected in the local racing community. He was known for driving a blue 1966 Cobra that he displayed at Houston car shows.