Lindsey, who liked her daddy to play Pretty, Pretty Princess with her at night, and who, on this day in 1996, kissed him and waited while he worked as a spotter for his brother in the afternoon's last race. But he liked to race on them.. I definitely want to clean the place up, paint it, do something with the signage out front. When Vogler got word of Fittipaldi's penalty, he went up to USAC to testify for him, calling the penalty "unjust." Vogler, who would have been 40 on Thursday, raced in five Indianapolis 500s. Saturday's sponsor is Crosleybrands.com. But there are those who think he adapted to the track as well as anybody. Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. On February 12, 1949 Sweikert won the first BCRA Indoor Midget Race Track championship, in Oakland, on the new 1/12 mile oval track. The tire hit a concrete barrier in front of the grandstand. He won the Fireman Nationals midget car race at Angell Park Speedway in 1985. Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. and the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis Motor Speedway classic and had built Tony Floyd, an ambulance medic for the hospital, described the 39-year-old Vogler as having a "severe head injury." after the boys were taken from the water. She figures it was a combination of factors, but mostly this: It was Bobs time to die, and he died.. Star, as published on Aug. 12, 1956, Mother Finds Pair in In early 1948, he married Marion Edwards. [1] Don Gettelfinger Sr. bought the track in 1987 and he replaced the fence with concrete. 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. "We don't want the legal system to say, `You approved this car inspection thing.' Fifteen were gone within just seven years. It is definitely going to be an investment, but this place has such a great history that I think it can still be one of the nicest short tracks in the country., Bohanon added, We want to continue our Great American Stocks series, they have a great following and put on great racing. "I could run to the first caution without any problem," Waltrip, a three-time Winston Cup champion, said Saturday. Bohanon, a Southern Indiana native, has raced on the famous High Banks of Salem Speedway and looks forward to shaping the tracks future. But I'm doing therapy every day.". On May 30, 1955 Sweikert finally won the Indianapolis 500 race, from the 14th starting position in the Zink Kurtis roadster #6. hunting for them, to call them to supper. ''I knew him well but we never talked about his father`s death. A racecar moves around the track at Salem Speedway. On July 21, 1990, during the Joe James / Pat O'Connor Memorial sprint car event at the Salem Speedway, which was nationally broadcast on ESPN Thunder, sprint car driver Rich Vogler sustained fatal head injuries due to a crash in turn 4. The sprint car flew over the edge of the track, down the embankment, and landed a hundred feet below, where it briefly burst into flames. From The Third Turn, an online resource for all news and results stock car racing. Pit fencing, however, is rarely mandated. 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. Father Kavanagh, their parish I know that sounds corny, but thats the way it was. 19,772 people like this. The series has visited Salem more than any other track in its almost 70-year history. Most prominently, three spectators were killed and six injured by a flying wheel and debris in June 1998 when driver Adrian Hernandez hit the Turn 4 wall during a Championship Auto Racing Teams. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Chad Hall's departure from Buffalo Bills to Jaguars remains a bit of a mystery. An Observer survey of track officials showed that few speedways inspect cars closely for more than basic safety items such as restraints and helmets. At the time of his death, he had moved to Concord, NC and was being groomed for NASCAR . Sweikert was completing just his fourth lap as Oakland driver Ed Elisians car seemed to push Sweikert gradually higher and higher up the banked track. office. Track officials voiced the same hesitance. 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.) "It could have been a nightmare," the track's owner said then. Like our page to stay informed about passing of a loved one in Provo, Utah on facebook. Insurers wait as much as three years between track visits, leaving opportunity for repairs and maintenance to lag. Published In. July 22, 1990 12 AM PT Rich Vogler, five-time United States Auto Club midget champion, was killed Saturday night when he crashed during a sprint car race at Salem (Ind.) Racing close with Elisian, both cars pushed high. Yard of Sweikert Home. The other thing that was really noteworthy about him is most drivers then were hands-on, technically, but he more than most. Weeks later, Sweikert's fatal sprint car crash occurred on June 17, 1956, at Salem Speedway. their lives while wading in the pool behind Sweikerts house at 5301 Lancelot Your email address will not be published. had intended to finish the job the day after the fatal Salem race. Drive. "It kind of catapulted into the sky," Cindy Dutton remembers. Country Club golf course behind the Sweikert home. two months, went home while firemen worked. Track inspections vary, as well. Forgot account? He gained his first racing sponsorship in July 1947, when he became a track roadster race driver for Hubbard Auto Parts of Oakland. [4], The ASA National Tour ran six races at the track, from 1998 through 2003 and the winners were Scott Hansen (twice), David Stremme, Tim Sauter, Gary St. Amant and Robbie Pyle. Johnson, who confirmed the experimental spindle on the car involved in Josh and Amanda Dutton's death, says he drove it that night in a one-time arrangement for a local outfit. Most race fans don't. 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. William M. Ostapenko, 38, who was working in his yard at Create new account. Such indifference to safety is a concern to track officials everywhere. In a 1998 incident, an out-of-control race car climbed over a fence at a Phoenix speedway and came to rest just 15 feet from fan seating. He was awarded a 40th-place finish (as a "Did Not Start").[6]. Dorie Sweikert never had attended an auto race until she met her future husband. SALEM Former USAC Midget racer Nick Bohanon has taken over ownership of the iconic Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery, located in Salem, Indiana. Street, and Edward Karsch, 3470 North Meridian Street, who were on the Broadmoor During 1947 Sweikert began mailing monthly accounts of his life to Veda Orr, through April 1956. James Tomlinson, 5 years old, and Anthony Tomlinson, 3, lost Sweikert was pronounced dead upon arrival at Washington County Hospital. USAC, however, did not see Vogler waive Fittipaldi by, and, as a result, they penalized Fittipaldi two laps. Report: Houston is the No. "When it came down, it came down on us.". 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen next week, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston pastor calls for state book ban, How the Houston Zoo moved its flock of flamingos to a new home, Astros show struggles with new MLB pitch clock rules, West Texans share apocalyptic photos of after massive dust storm, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, The only Houston rodeo food guide you'll need, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter. The track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners. She went back to California Layton, Utah. ), Complete USAC Mini-Indy (Formula Super Vee) Results, Last edited on 28 September 2022, at 18:41, Biography at the Rich Vogler Memorial Scholarship Fund, Driver profile Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, NASCAR Statistics at racing-reference.info, NASCAR Winston Cup results from July Pocono race, Rich Vogler Memorial Scholarship Fund webpage, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rich_Vogler&oldid=1112909876, This page was last edited on 28 September 2022, at 18:41. 1949_07_25 -2 Drivers Killed at Salem Speedway- Louisville Courier-Journal pg 1 (1 of 2) Insurance companies, some fearful of legal liability, are reluctant to mandate any driver or car inspections. Salem Speedway opened in 1947, providing fans with exciting fast paced racing on the .555-mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banked turns that were built strictly for speed! Its like Iraq its that kind of grief.. The 2023 Salem Speedway tentative schedule: April 8: (3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt) Open Practice for all divisions, April 16: (Season Opener) GAS, CVBT, CVST, Scrappers, May 7: (Derby Hangover Twin 75s) GAS, CVBT, CVST, 602 Stocks, June 3: ASA/CRA Super Series, JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, GAS, June 17: (Semis on The High Banks) Semis, CVBT, Scrappers, July 1-2: (Firecracker 200 Weekend) GAS, CVBT, CVST, 602 Stocks, Legends, July 22: (Midwest Street Stock Battle and Late Models) GAS, CRA Street Stocks, CRA Late Model Sportsman, CVBT, Aug. 19: (Dollar Beer and Cruise In) GAS, CVBT, CVST, 602 Stocks, Scrappers, Sept. 9: (End of Summer 100) GAS, CVBT, CVST, Legends, Oct. 21-22: (Halloween 200 Weekend) Halloween 200, CVBT 200, CVST, MF8, 602 Stocks, Scrappers, Bloomington Speedway releases 2023 schedule. "Some people said it went over the fence." Nobody covers Columbus, Indiana and the surrounding areas like The Republic. Sam was sitting on the driveway, Learn More And for each spectator killed, there are tales of others spared when cars or wheels flew over fences and through pits, striking no one. I just raced. It was completed about the time During a qualifying heat, a sprint car driven by Jon Johnson lost its tire and rim in a turn. Marjorie Ann Bitter. firemen drained it before leaving the scene. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. They entered the pool area through a gap in the high fence He entered at the 32nd starting position and ran for 77 laps in the McNamara Special car. Coming out of the 4th turn, the two cars started down the straightaway in front of the grandstand. Richard Kavanagh, pastor of St. It would do no good for anyone to tell Bob Sweikert to quit racing. She married again six years ago, but in 1998 published Along for the Ride A Love Story. The book is a personal, poignant and sometimes painful look back on her time with Bob Sweikert. He was about to take the white flag for the final lap. There over the next couple years, he built his own track roadster. LONG POND, Pa. -- Darrell Waltrip will be satisfied with a short day on the track today. The guys who didnt run there, they were flat-ass chicken., No one had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race at Salem. Greg Sacks had his fill of those in the last race, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, Fla., where accidents ruined the weekend for both drivers. In the 1950s, talent won races, but luck decided who lived and died on the track. Stadium, Arena & Sports Venue in Salem, Indiana. As firemen worked, the Rev. "My stamina's not what it should be. There were no space-age helmets and flame-proof racing suits. Fencing, maybe, or car safety. Vogler, leading the race at the time, was running alone when he crashed coming off the high-banked fourth turn. Sweikert fought for custody of their young daughter. Lindsey took to cars with the same fervor. [2] A thunderstorm had ripped the roof off the grandstands and fences were damaged. The good drivers werent immune. The tire struck Lindsey Mayden, 7 years old. Was that what went wrong? Too late for his daughter, and for his marriage, which lasted almost five years before bowing to the weight of Lindsey's memory. This was his 170th win. He was scheduled to make his NASCAR Winston Cup (now NASCAR Cup Series) series debut at Pocono Raceway the day after his fatal crash. Veda wrote many racing articles. High powered sprint cars accelerate down the straights at speeds reaching nearly 140 miles per hour. Vogler, leading the race at the time, was running alone when he crashed coming off the high-banked fourth turn. Morris Settles pronounced the boys dead. She searched for nearly an hour before finding the tricycles Not all would race The Hills. Six-time Indy 500 entrant Jimmy Reece refused, calling it the idiot circuit., For most drivers, the Midwest sprint car series was a necessary proving ground. That wasnt what qualified him as an early victim of the SI jinx. 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. 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. There in high school Bob met his future wife, Dorie.[2]. "We don't do checks before races," says Hall. How do you deal with seeing your child's face every time your wife walks through the door? He won numerous major national events: the Hut Hundred eight times, the 4-Crown Nationals midget car event four times, the Copper Classic twice, the Hoosierdome Invitational twice, the WWRA Florida Winter Nationals in 1983, and the Night Before the 500 once. Born March 10, 1957. Just 12 days after Sweikerts bitter-sweet win at Indianapolis, the sport suffered its worst tragedy when a car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France went off the track and into the crowd, killing 80 spectators. His 134 wins (95 Midget, 35 Sprint, and four Silver Crown wins) in national events is second only to A. J. Foyt's 169. Always open. Learn how your comment data is processed. Sweikert's first chance at driving a Sprint car came next in 1949. [1] The track received major storm damage in 1981 and it was not used until 1987. At smaller tracks, insurance companies are the primary arbiters of fence height and design. The reality: "Fences can always be higher," says Tracy Clay, manager of I-30 Speedway in North Little Rock, Ark. Then came a June 17 sprint car race at Salem Speedway. Im really excited about acquiring Salem Speedway and looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track, Bohanon said. I wanted what he wanted, she said. Vogler, now dead at the age of 39, was declared the winner posthumously because of USAC National Sprint Car Series rules on a red flag reverting to the previous completed lap. Search Provo obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. "Fans are their own worst enemy," says Dickie Gore, owner of Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va. Newspapers.com makes these newspapers available for the purpose of historical research, and is not responsible for the content of any newspapers archived at our site. Both boys were pool that the 500-Mile-Race winner had built for his own children. In 1988, Vogler was running 20+ laps down in the race when he waived his position to former Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. [1] The track closed in May 1995 when he declared bankruptcy. [1] In 1987 he won the inaugural Chili Bowl Midget Nationals race. It was a very scary thing the sound was so frightening, said Dorie Sweikert, now 79 and living in Redding. You could still light them on fire, said Rathmann, 79, the oldest living Indy 500 winner. Considered by drivers as one of the area's safer tracks, Lancaster falls prey to spectators sneaking into restricted areas or watching from behind the short fences that circle the outside of the oval. That grief gripped the loved ones of dozens of race car drivers in the 1950s. As the field favorite going for his third consecutive Yet he can't outrun the questions that wait for him at nights in his auto body shop. She died five hours later, early the next day. He is tied with Pat Flaherty for the record of the driver with the fewest points to have won a race. The following paragraphs have been transcribed from the Indianapolis Washington Township volunteer firemen and an Indianapolis fire department As Baker left his seat for a drink from the concession stand, a wheel came loose from a car on the track. The Winston Cup season leader easily beat Schrader's 157.219 mph in qualifying Friday. There was kind of a machismo attached to it. She never saw danger coming. "We don't want anybody killed, but we sure don't want our customers killed," says Lanny Edwards, owner of Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, one of thousands of small tracks dotting the country. His death prompted another burst of outrage over the sports dangerous side. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. With months to heal and the war over, he was honorably discharged in September 1945. Bradway died from injuries suffered in a tragic sprint car crash during the Super Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway in Washington State on June 21, 1987. Racing but was replaced posthumously by Ted Musgrave. There, Dawn Mayden and her daughter had left their lawn chairs for some barbecued chicken at a concession stand. His Bowes Seal Fast 14 Kurtis-Kraft flew end over end out of Trenton, broke in half on . Nobody planned this tragedy, he told them. [1][3] Vogler had 170 total USAC wins, and won over 200 "outlaw" (non-USAC) midget races. After winning the55 Indy title, Sweikert began plotting his next move. The wheel hit Amanda flush, crushing her lungs and heart beyond surgeons' repair. Mrs. Tomlinson ran behind the Sweikert house. Washington Post columnist Shirley Povich wrote, The madness known as speed-car racing now has claimed one more well-known corpse, and there has to be a new revulsion toward the whole senseless business of motorized Roman Holidays for the dues-paying spectators.. She is one of 29 spectators since 1990 to be killed by cars or their flying parts at U.S. auto racing events. He won 1 race and accumulated a total of 8 championship points. At least 70 have been injured, some suffering life-altering afflictions, including a Florida father of three now living in a New Jersey home for people with brain damage. Before this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. He had that charisma.. Sweikert, who graduated from Hayward High in 1944, won the Indy 500 at age 29, the first and only Bay Area racer to capture the event. Follow Ken de . "It didn't belong on that car," Hall says. 47K views, 969 likes, 76 loves, 119 comments, 367 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from History Mystery Man: Salem Speedway is one of the most iconic race tracks in America. We will keep the other local divisions that have been running at the track and plan to continue to bring in some additional outside touring series to keep fans interested in coming to all our events. The Last year he won 16 of the 33 races en route to his fifth championship. He won the midget car track championships at the Indianapolis Speedrome in 1984 and 1985. Wife of popular Wild 94.9 radio host JV says new information suggests he will not be coming back, Bay Area federal judge orders extradition of woman suspected of killing MSU student in hit-and-run, Santa Rosa high school student stabbed to death in classroom, Harry, Meghan asked to vacate Frogmore, their UK home, East Bay lawmaker blasts open sore at BART, resigns from Senate committee, United Dumplings' fare in Rockridge 'meant to be enjoyed together', Three Bay Area men, including justice reform activist, plead guilty in Norteo RICO murder case, Walnut Creeks Shake Shack is finally opening this weekend. Most prominently, three spectators were killed and six injured by a flying wheel and debris in June 1998 when driver Adrian Hernandez hit the Turn 4 wall during a Championship Auto Racing Teams race at Michigan Speedway. Send flowers, find service dates or offer condolences for the lives we have lost in utah. 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. I dont know how you could be the wife of a race car driver in those days. For over 65 years Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery has enjoyed the recognition of being one of the most unique and renowned race tracks in America. The .555-mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banks was built strictly for speed. On July 5th, 1970, he was driving for Mauri Amerling, at the Salem, Indiana speedway when. Classes at Christ the King School were canceled for Josh and Amanda Dutton's funeral. Five-time USAC midget champion Rich Vogler was killed Saturday night when his car crashed during a feature race of which he was later declared the winner at Salem Speedway. ''Rich saw his father die,'' said Marvel. About See All. Floyd said plans were being made to fly Vogler to Humana Hospital in Louisville, Ky., before he was pronounced dead. Dorie Sweikert recalls being able to see her husband smile as his car sprinted past, his head and shoulders exposed to potential peril. Speedway. Bob Sweikerts death in an auto race last June was reflected Bohanon, a Southern Indiana. 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. A year later, on June 17, 1956, Sweikert, just turned 30, was killed when his sprint car shot over the edge of the high-banked, half-mile track at Salem, Ind. Such decisions are largely left up to speedways. Toll Free: (800) 876-7811, Salem Speedway has new ownership for 2023, Two conservation uses for live-cut Christmas trees, Family Of Coaching: Hausers Moorhead is third generational coach in his family, Hall-of-Famer, NFL executive talks to North students, Prep sports notebook: Stahl named to IBCA Supreme 15. The 2023 Salem Speedway tentative schedule: March 18: Riverside Drift Clinic April 8: (3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt) Open Practice for all divisions April 16: (Season Opener) GAS, CVBT, CVST,. On September 17, 1922 Roscoe Sarles, a respected racer with six AAA feature wins and four starts at Indy, broke a steering knuckle on his Durant, tangled with Pete waiting patiently for the boys. Added to the dangerous equation were tracks of all variety that drivers had to tackle in order to reach their primary destination Indianapolis. The race was red flagged and would never restart. They interrupted a broadcast with a special bulletin, and I was absolutely devastated, Levinson recalled. Both tracks also increased their fences' overhang. 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. The challenge for speedway owners: How do you balance the counterweights of safety and intimacy? Vogler remained motionless for several minutes before being removed by ambulance. During most of his IndyCar tenure he was sponsored by KFC, whom he had a longtime professional relationship with. Amant. Gil was a popular Cincinnati, Ohio driver who ran regularly in the area before joining the United States Auto Club sprint car circuit. Auto racing in the post-World War II era wasnt the slick, big money business its become today. It was a time before safety thats just the way it was, said Steven Levinson, a semi-retired attorney and amateur auto racing historian, who grew up in Indianapolis in the 1940s and 50s. A dozen years later, Elisian and Sweikert were engaged in the racing duel that led to Sweikert's fatal crash at Salem Speedway. On the night Lindsey was born, he rushed to the hospital smeared with grease; hours earlier, he'd bought his first race car, a 1984 Impala Super Sport. He died the day after his sister, on his 10th birthday. Sweikert was thrown from the car and was pronounced dead of head injuries upon arrival at Washington County Hospital. Mrs. Sweikerts last order before leaving Indianapolis, the neighbors said, was that the fence be completed at once. February 27, 2023 (100 years old) View obituary. Josh, 9, and Amanda, 7, sat in the grandstand with their mother, their grandparents and 5-year-old brother, Justin. At 5 p.m. their mother, Mrs. Marie Tomlinson, 32, began [1] He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, and his best finish was eighth in 1989. In September 1955 Sweikert became the only driver in history to win the original American motor sports Triple Crown, by sweeping the Indianapolis 500, the AAA big car National Championship, and the Midwest sprint car championship. Dr. Dan. I saw him coming out of the fourth turn, he and Ed up so high, Dorie Sweikert said. Sweikert was born in Los Angeles, California. He learned to race on go-karts at age 9, graduated to stock cars as an adult. The Indianapolis native raced in five Indianapolis 500s. He drove in northern California that year and later in Los Angeles. 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. I had a son who was killed in a crash as well.''.