Georgia track closed after spectator killed

Citing violations of state safety codes at Cochran Motor Speedway following the death of a race fan this past weekend, Georgia officials closed the facility Wednesday until further notice.

The investigation came about after Cynthia Nobles, 43, of Danville, was killed and four others were injured during a race Saturday night when a tire and part of an axle flew from a race car and landed in a section of the pit area where there was no fence between the race cars and spectators.

Nobles died Monday at The Medical Center of Central Georgia from her injuries.

State Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John Oxendine said Wednesday the track doesn't meet safety codes.

"We are taking the position that we believe there were violations of state regulations," he said. "We've ordered (the track) closed until further notice. … There shouldn't have been anybody in that area. There was no barriers or fencing of any type."