KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Hospital officials say a 34-year-old driver involved in a crash during an Iowa race has died.

Chad McDaniel of Concordia, Kan., was taking part in a United States Auto Club Midget Nationals event at Knoxville Raceway Friday night when he struck another car.

The USAC says McDaniel suffered head and neck injuries. A spokeman at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Gregg Lagan, says McDaniel was pronounced dead at Mercy at 12:37 a.m. Saturday.

The USAC says McDaniel had scored five top-10 finishes in six races this season.

USAC Racing official Kevin Miller says the sport has lost "a passionate racer." And he says the racing community's deeply saddened by McDaniel's death.

USAC officials say McDaniel is survived by his wife, Trisha, and two children.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com