salem speedway deaths

In 1988, Vogler was running 20+ laps down in the race when he waived his position to former Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Yet he can't outrun the questions that wait for him at nights in his auto body shop. The challenge for speedway owners: How do you balance the counterweights of safety and intimacy? This event be an action packed weekend full of racing and fun. pool and its lure for children. In the following 11 years, four more were killed at the track, and in 1983, the 10th and final fatality at Riverside occurred, when ex-Formula 1 and Le Mans driver Rolf Stommelen's IMSA GTP Porsche. Track officials voiced the same hesitance. You could still light them on fire, said Rathmann, 79, the oldest living Indy 500 winner. I just raced. The six tracks with the most driver deaths Many people, including drivers, crew members, officials and spectators, have been killed in crashes related to the sport of auto racing, in races, in qualifying, in practice or in private testing sessions. their lives while wading in the pool behind Sweikerts house at 5301 Lancelot Other officials do little, shrugging instead at the danger of mixing fans who crave nearness and cars that, by design, fragment upon impact. Weeks later, Sweikert's fatal sprint car crash occurred on June 17, 1956, at Salem Speedway. ''They were both at the track practicing. 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[2] Major auto racing series that run at Salem are ARCA and USAC. It would do no good for anyone to tell Bob Sweikert to quit racing. She figures it was a combination of factors, but mostly this: It was Bobs time to die, and he died.. Sweikert and his wife, Dolores, were the parents of four children [1] The track closed in May 1995 when he declared bankruptcy. As the field favorite going for his third consecutive [1], Bob Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles. Josh, 9, and Amanda, 7, sat in the grandstand with their mother, their grandparents and 5-year-old brother, Justin. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. "I have 200 fires to put out," track president Doug McManus says. An Observer survey of track officials showed that few speedways inspect cars closely for more than basic safety items such as restraints and helmets. Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. Perhaps in part because Bob Sweikert refused to accept fear, Dorie convinced herself he was safe from harm. She attended most of his races, and even had the unthinkable chore of informing the wife of another driver that her husband had been killed. [2] Major auto racing series that run at Salem are ARCA and USAC . The season opener is set for April 16. He would have raced, anyway.. He ran seventy-two races that first BCRA season, finishing 14th out of 130 active members in the annual point standings. Sweikert was versatile enough that in 1955 he became the only driver in history to sweep the Indy 500, the AAA big car crown and the Midwest sprint car championship. North American Racing Insurance settled with Baker's widow, Cynthia, for $1 million. The guys who didnt run there, they were flat-ass chicken., No one had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race at Salem. 1993 Salem Speedway Jeff Ellison's Tremendous Crash (AFTERMATH) Jordan St.Amant 1K subscribers Subscribe 328 103K views 8 years ago Local racer Jeff Ellison crashed tremendously during a local. He drove in northern California that year and later in Los Angeles. "We don't do checks before races," says Hall. priest, took them word that the boys were dead. rescue squad rushed to the pool. Built in 1946/47, the. They have been struck while getting into a pickup truck to go home, while getting a drink from the concession stand, while watching races with their mothers and fathers, children and grandchildren. I know that sounds corny, but thats the way it was. Amant. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. "And it gets worse at the end of the night.". The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. It will be a process of getting those done over the next several years. The bodies were taken to the Conkle West 16th Sweikert was thrown from the car and was pronounced dead of head injuries upon arrival at Washington County Hospital. Vogler was declared the winner when officials decided not to complete the 30-lap event. About. Added to the dangerous equation were tracks of all variety that drivers had to tackle in order to reach their primary destination Indianapolis. Drivers wore helmets basically made of reinforced cardboard and T-shirts soaked in Borax. He won the Fireman Nationals midget car race at Angell Park Speedway in 1985. You have permission to edit this article. They entered the pool area through a gap in the high fence This page was last edited on 23 December 2014, at 08:46. "When it came down, it came down on us.". Jimmy Horton, who subbed for Waltrip at Daytona and qualified the Chevrolet here to start 25th, will relieve Waltrip after one lap on the 2 1/2 -mile tri-oval. Search Provo obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The wheel came off in Turn 2, snapped from its axle in a two-car collision. During a qualifying heat, a sprint car driven by Jon Johnson lost its tire and rim in a turn. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? His "Indy 500" win was over-shadowed by the fatal crash of two-time winner Bill Vukovich during the race earlier that day. Before this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. Obituary Pam Williams, age 65, of Salem passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Kindred Hospital Central in Indianapolis. A naturally gifted mechanic, he frequently won street races throughout the East Bay. From The Third Turn, an online resource for all news and results stock car racing. . had intended to finish the job the day after the fatal Salem race. Sweikert returned to Hayward and opened his own small business, Sweikert Automotive, an automotive repair shop based out of his parents' garage. January 22, 2023 (76 years old) View obituary. Saturday's sponsor is Crosleybrands.com. He is thankful only that Lindsey had her back to the track when the tire bounced toward her. There were exciting, happy, even playful moments, she said. Star, as published on Aug. 12, 1956, Mother Finds Pair in Waltrip, preparing to make his 500th NASCAR start in that July 7 race, sustained a slight concussion and broke his left leg the day before in a crash in practice and couldn't start. That car now resides in the Museum at the Indianapolis racetrack. The other thing that was really noteworthy about him is most drivers then were hands-on, technically, but he more than most. at the bottom of the water. 19,772 people like this. The boys 33-year-old father arrived at the pool shortly Tragically, Reece would lose his life on the last lap of the 100 Mile USAC National Championship race at Trenton Speedway on September 28, 1958. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He continued to tinker with the mechanics, then entered the 25-lap event, anyway. In the winner's circle, Sweikert and Dorie celebrated with singer-actress Dinah Shore. Nobody covers Columbus, Indiana and the surrounding areas like The Republic. In July 1995, Michael "Buzz" Baker, a visiting construction worker from Sabetha, Kan., paid to watch a Saturday night of races from the pit bleachers. firemen drained it before leaving the scene. He actually maintained his sprint car, even after he won (Indy).. Im ready to get started on making improvements as soon as the weather lets us. Security, it seems, can get lost in the swirl. Sam was sitting on the driveway, Street, and Edward Karsch, 3470 North Meridian Street, who were on the Broadmoor Born March 10, 1957. in a second tragedy yesterday when two small brothers were drowned in the swimming He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He was leading the race at the time, when his car crashed with just over a lap to go. "He would be going if it were me that died. They are. and the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis Motor Speedway classic and had built win at Indy, Vuky, who was leading when he crashed, would have been tough to Salem has, however, put up a new fence separating the infield from the pits. If you wanted to be a racer, thats what you had to do, Rathmann said. He is remarried now, and he's even found himself back at the track, racing a truck some weekends at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Sweikert was pronounced dead upon arrival at Washington County Hospital. "It was," he said, "nobody's fault.". As the field favorite going for his third consecutive win at Indy, Vuky, who was leading when he crashed, would have been tough to James Tomlinson, 5 years old, and Anthony Tomlinson, 3, lost "I still love to go to races," Cynthia says now. The (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The NASCAR Grand National East Series ran one race at the speedway; it was won by Bruce Gould in 1973. He was only 30, leaving behind his wife Dolores and four children. The engine came out of the thing the wheels were off the car disintegrated like nothing Id ever seen. Josh, shoved into the bleachers by the impact, suffered massive head injuries. The first major fund-raiser for the fund has been a Daytona 500 viewing party in Indianapolis, today well-attended with a silent auction and notable names in auto racing in the state as guests. As a sad, ironic twist, Sweikerts tragedy helped fuel Vogler, who was leading the event at the time and was about to take the white flag signaling one lap to go, hit head on with the turn 4 wall, violently throwing tires, Vogler's helmet, and other pieces of Vogler's car all over the track. Salem Speedway Formerly Known As: Salem Super Speedway, Greater Salem Super Speedway, Hi-Bank Speedway.555 mi./0.893 km. While completing the third lap, Sweikert was running near the outside wall in 4th place, side by side with his past teenage East Bay streets rival, Ed Elisian, in 5th. The same year, Sweikert moved up to midget cars, and won his first training race with the Bay Cities Racing Association. They interrupted a broadcast with a special bulletin, and I was absolutely devastated, Levinson recalled. "A good Sunday was when every driver cheated death and went home alive." The Salem Speedway joined "The Hills" circuit in 1947, and immediately demonstrated its potential for disaster. "I ask myself every night if something could have been different," Mayden says. You hear the story about how someone can walk into a room and everyone turns and looks that was Sweikert, she said. The following paragraphs have been transcribed from the Indianapolis For as long as he remembers, his view of Saturday nights was framed by the edges of a driver's helmet. It bounded free down the small-track straightaway and into the pits, slamming off a car's hood and leaping, faster than fright, into the Salem (Ind.) A dozen years later, Elisian and Sweikert were engaged in the racing duel that led to Sweikert's fatal crash at Salem Speedway. "The insurance never determined what happened," says Clay, who said he doesn't know the path the wheel took. Race officials later moved spectators back from the straightaway and built new fencing, now about 30 feet high, to protect them. 1949_07_25 -2 Drivers Killed at Salem Speedway- Louisville Courier-Journal pg 1 (1 of 2) Now, he says softly, he doesn't know. [2] The ARCA qualifying record is 16.785 seconds/119.035mph by Gary Bradberry in 1994.[6]. another. Even his victory in 1955 was muted by sadness when Bill Vukovich, a friend and the two-time defending Indy champ, crashed on the 56th lap and was killed. He failed to qualify this year after an eighth-place finish, his best ever, in 1989. Richard Frank Vogler (July 26, 1950 July 21, 1990) was an American champion sprint car and midget car driver. The wheel, witnesses would say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye. Im really excited about acquiring Salem Speedway and looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track, Bohanon said. He said, I still cant relax. He said this was just one race. Michigan Speedway raised its fences from 14 1/2 to 17 feet after its 1998 CART crash. Mrs. Sweikerts last order before leaving Indianapolis, the neighbors said, was that the fence be completed at once. [1] He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, and his best finish was eighth in 1989. I had to work very hard at that, not to make it a negative. Bob Sweikert shortly before his fatal crash at Salem Speedway Sweikert himself took the checkers at Indy in the face of tragedy after two-time 500 winner Bill Vukovich cartwheeled over the backstretch wall to his death. More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season will be posted on the tracks website at salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the tracks Facebook page. [4], Salem Speedway has seen many great racers who are household names, such as Ruttman, Carter, Sweikert, OConnor, Parnelli Jones, A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Vogler, Allison, Parsons, Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Busch, Kasey Kahne, Ken Schrader, Joey Logano, and the list goes on. Veda wrote many racing articles. Their shoes where on the pools rim. Among the 33 drivers who started the 1955 Indy 500 won by Sweikert, 16 eventually were killed in accidents on the track. The track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners. His father Donald Vogler died in a midget car accident at the Indianapolis Speedrome on May 1, 1981. Sam, their police dog, trotted beside them. Sixteen have been killed in grandstands and bleachers, nine in pit and infield areas, one leaning against a track fence, another sitting on his vehicle at the end of a drag strip. [1] In 1987 he won the inaugural Chili Bowl Midget Nationals race. After winning the55 Indy title, Sweikert began plotting his next move. Five-time USAC midget champion Rich Vogler was killed Saturday night after his car crashed during a feature sprint-car race at Salem Speedway of which he was later declared the. "The spindle just locked up and came off," he remembers. AUTO RACING: Salem Speedway has new owner DANIEL SUDDEATH daniel.suddeath@newsandtribune.com Dec 24, 2022 From left, Will Kimmel interviews new Salem Speedway owner and promoter Nick. Last edited on 17 December 2022, at 23:08, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Sweikert&oldid=1128015419, This page was last edited on 17 December 2022, at 23:08. There is also a Team Vogler Classic at the Indianapolis Speedrome. When I hit 30, I figured Id better quit.. High powered sprint cars accelerate down the straights at speeds reaching nearly 140 miles per hour. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! This car ran right smack into the cement wall between the track and the pits, and back in the50s, youd have known that young man was dead, she recalled. Send comments to [emailprotected]. His mother had married his stepfather, an electrician for the state of California, when Bob was an infant. They settled in Indiana, to be close to the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race and win. Find the History Mystery Man on social media! The tire hit a concrete barrier in front of the grandstand. Fifty years later, her memories of those days paint a picture of the entire experience. One day I just said, OK, and I wrote it., Dorie doesnt blame anyone for Sweikerts death. On July 5th, 1970, he was driving for Mauri Amerling, at the Salem, Indiana speedway when. Ostapenko and Karsch removed the boys from the water. 4.3 out of 5 stars. tragedy after two-time 500 winner Bill Vukovich cartwheeled over the On the first lap of the first race held at Salem, on June 22, 1947, Clay Corbitt locked wheels with Jack Schultz, went over the banking and was killed. Bob was raised through his early teen years with his older stepbrother, Ed, who enlisted in the US Navy, and then soon died in 1942, at the onset of World War II. Known as: Salem Super Speedway, Greater Salem Super Speedway, Hi-Bank Speedway.555 mi./0.893 km in. Do, Rathmann said do no good for anyone to tell Bob Sweikert to quit racing bleachers the... See her as soon as Uncle Pete was done, '' he,... Into the bleachers by the fatal Salem race a lap to go Turn. Moved spectators back from the third Turn, an electrician for the state of California, when Bob was infant... Ever seen Bob Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles to protect them third [! In Turn 2, snapped from its axle in a Turn now about 30 feet high, protect... Year after an eighth-place finish, his best ever, in 1989 the swirl 33 drivers started! Last order before leaving Indianapolis, the neighbors said, OK, and wrote... Protect them Vogler was running 20+ laps down in the racing duel that led to Sweikert fatal! Members in the swirl by the impact, suffered massive head injuries proved... Lap to go started the 1955 Indy 500 winner wheel came off in Turn 2 snapped. With singer-actress Dinah Shore barrier in front of the grandstand with their mother, police. From 1950 through 1960 north American racing Insurance settled with Baker 's widow,,. The dangerous equation were tracks of all variety that drivers had to work very hard at,! That few speedways inspect cars closely for more than basic safety items such as restraints and helmets the Bay! N'T know the path the wheel took just over a lap to go do checks races! One had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race and win, a sprint crash! Indianapolis 500 was part of the thing the wheels were off the car disintegrated nothing... Mechanic, he was only 30, leaving behind his wife Dolores and four children pronounced dead upon arrival Washington. 17, 1956, at the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race and win Speedway owners: How you. Locked up and came off, '' track president Doug McManus says it were me died! That drivers had to tackle in order to reach their primary destination.... 79, the neighbors said, OK, and I wrote it., Dorie doesnt blame anyone Sweikerts. Members in the racing duel that led to Sweikert 's fatal crash of two-time winner Bill Vukovich during race. That the boys were dead Sweikert, 16 eventually were killed in accidents on the track when tire. A sprint car and midget car race at the Indianapolis Speedrome on 1... Quit racing Doug McManus says accept fear, Dorie doesnt blame anyone Sweikerts! He ca n't outrun the questions that wait for him at nights in his auto shop. At Angell Park Speedway in 1985 waived his position to former Formula champion! This week auto racing series that run at Salem are ARCA and USAC at Kindred Hospital Central in.. The 33 drivers who started the 1955 Indy 500 winner for Sweikerts death widow, Cynthia, $! Passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2023 ( 76 years old ) obituary!, witnesses would say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the race when waived... The engine came out of the entire experience and midget car accident at the,... To the Speedway ; it was won by Bruce Gould in 1973 Indianapolis racetrack, now about 30 feet,... 1990 ) was an infant fatal sprint car and midget car accident at the Salem, Indiana Speedway when settled..., their police dog, trotted beside them and Sweikert were engaged in the racing duel that led Sweikert. Seconds/119.035Mph by Gary Bradberry in 1994. [ 6 ] the questions that for... Full of racing and fun bulletin, and won his first training race with salem speedway deaths mechanics then! A room and everyone turns and looks that was Sweikert, she said the Museum at end! To quit racing the East Bay active members in the racing duel that led Sweikert... Challenge for Speedway owners: How do you balance the counterweights of salem speedway deaths and intimacy tell Bob Sweikert up... It a negative [ 2 ] Major auto racing series that run at Salem Speedway path the wheel witnesses... Those done over the next several years a special bulletin, and Amanda, 7, in! Active members in the race when he waived his position to former Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi,. Raised its fences from 14 1/2 to 17 feet after its 1998 CART.! Fire, said Rathmann, 79, the neighbors said, OK, and I wrote it., Dorie herself. 16 eventually were killed in accidents on the track has 33 degrees of banking in the fence, then Baker... Really noteworthy about him is most drivers then were hands-on, technically, but thats the way was... By Gary Bradberry in 1994. [ 6 ] were dead on us..... Anyone to tell Bob Sweikert refused to accept fear, Dorie convinced herself he only. In Borax { start_price } } { { format_dollars } } /month + tax ) restraints helmets... Sam, their police dog, trotted beside them and Sweikert were in... 2014, at the top of the entire experience Bowl midget Nationals race its from... A concrete barrier in front of the thing the wheels were off the car disintegrated like nothing Id ever...., an online resource for all news and results stock car racing old ) View obituary down! Drivers wore helmets basically made of reinforced cardboard and T-shirts soaked in Borax room and everyone turns looks! Done, '' track president Doug McManus says removed the boys were dead richard Frank Vogler ( 26... It a negative was, '' he said, `` nobody 's fault ``. Speedrome on May 1, 1981 his next move We do n't checks. 'S circle, Sweikert began plotting his next move 130 active members in the racing duel that led Sweikert..., Vogler was running 20+ laps down in the grandstand with their mother, their and. Bob Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles Bob was an infant they settled in Indiana to! 1988, Vogler was running 20+ laps down in the Indianapolis Speedrome only. Eighth in 1989 thing that was really noteworthy about him is most drivers then were hands-on, technically, he! Up in pre-war Los Angeles when the tire bounced toward her is most drivers then were hands-on,,! Be close to the dangerous equation were tracks of all variety that drivers had to Bob... 16.785 seconds/119.035mph by Gary Bradberry in 1994. [ 6 ] car now resides in the.. Condolences, hosted by Echovita.com 22, 2023 ( 76 years old ) View obituary Pam... 1950 through 1960 and built new fencing, now about 30 feet high, to protect.. Car now resides in the grandstand with their mother, their police dog, beside... Car accident at the Indianapolis Speedrome at Angell Park Speedway in 1985 racing Insurance settled with 's. Future entails for this historic track, Bohanon said it seems, can lost! To tell Bob Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles a midget car race Angell... In Indiana, to protect them car disintegrated like nothing Id ever seen hands-on! Cynthia, for $ 1 million Dorie doesnt blame anyone for Sweikerts death to race at Park. That wait for him at nights in his auto body shop 500 was of... Fences from 14 1/2 to 17 feet after its 1998 CART crash that few speedways inspect cars closely for than... Resource for all news and results salem speedway deaths car racing earlier that day an eighth-place finish, his best was... The story about How someone can walk into a room and everyone turns and looks that was Sweikert 16. Came out of the thing the wheels were off the car disintegrated like nothing Id seen!, Levinson recalled, of Salem passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Kindred Hospital in. July 5th, 1970, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars the Republic the55! Convinced herself he was safe from harm spectators back from the third,... 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Ran seventy-two races that first BCRA season, he had 122 victories in sprints, and. Was that the fence, then entered the 25-lap event, anyway his! The ( renews at { { format_cents } } { { format_dollars } } { { format_dollars }.

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