salem speedway deaths

Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: Houston ranked No. History [ edit] See more of Salem Speedway on Facebook. 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. None of todays safeguards existed then. Still nursing the leg injury, Waltrip plans to make his milestone start today in the NASCAR AC Spark Plug 500 at Pocono International Raceway. * Most laps led. From age 16 Sweikert worked after school as a mechanic at the local Ford dealership in Hayward. Careening cars, debris can end lives in instant, Watch: Astros SP Luis Garcia debuts new windup after rule changes, Houston facing severe thunderstorms, possible tornadoes Thursday, Oops! It was completed about the time [5], Because of USAC rules on a red flag reverting to the previous completed lap, he was declared the winner of the event following his death, which was his 170th win. Speedway. To get to Indy, Sweikert had to challenge what were known collectively as The Hills tracks that comprised the Midwest sprint car circuit. Im really excited about acquiring Salem Speedway and looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track, Bohanon said. 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.. Washington Township volunteer firemen and an Indianapolis fire department In addition to his five midget titles, Vogler won the national sprint car title in 1980 and 1989. It had been there in my head and in my heart for a long time, she said. The wheel, witnesses would say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye. There was kind of a machismo attached to it. January 22, 2023 (76 years old) View obituary. The .555-Mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banked turns was built strictly for speed. Floyd said plans were being made to fly Vogler to Humana Hospital in Louisville, Ky., before he was pronounced dead. 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. 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. 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. As a sad, ironic twist, Sweikerts tragedy helped fuel Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Martin took the pole for today's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph. It opened in 1947; two drivers were killed on the first lap of the first race. The engine came out of the thing the wheels were off the car disintegrated like nothing Id ever seen. When I hit 30, I figured Id better quit.. Log In. 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. Clipping found in The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky on Jul 25, 1949. She died five hours later, early the next day. In addition to his five midget titles, Vogler won the national sprint car championship in 1980. in a second tragedy yesterday when two small brothers were drowned in the swimming The challenge for speedway owners: How do you balance the counterweights of safety and intimacy? [1], Bob Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles. Track inspections vary, as well. He was about to take the white flag for the final lap at the alf-mile oval in a race televised nationally by ESPN. 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The Salem Speedway joined "The Hills" circuit in 1947, and immediately demonstrated its potential for disaster. Days before his 40th birthday, Vogler was competing in a nationally broadcast ESPN Thunder Joe James / Pat O'Connor Memorial sprint car event at Salem Speedway. He is thankful only that Lindsey had her back to the track when the tire bounced toward her. Such indifference to safety is a concern to track officials everywhere. Pit fencing, however, is rarely mandated. Salem has, however, put up a new fence separating the infield from the pits. He was scheduled to make his NASCAR Winston Cup (now NASCAR Cup Series) series debut at Pocono Raceway the day after his fatal crash. Sanctioning bodies, some of which require driver safety equipment, don't demand that tracks inspect cars, a survey by the Charlotte Observer found. Sweikert was born in Los Angeles, California. Sweikert's mother, Grace, often visited Bob's firstborn until Grace died. 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. Robert Charles Sweikert (May 20, 1926 June 17, 1956) was an American racing driver, best known as the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis 500 and the 1955 National Championship, as well as the 1955 Midwest Sprint car championship - the only driver in history to sweep all three in a single season. An Observer survey of track officials showed that few speedways inspect cars closely for more than basic safety items such as restraints and helmets. SALEM, IND. Like our page to stay informed about passing of a loved one in Provo, Utah on facebook. ". Ostapenko and Karsch removed the boys from the water. 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. Some tracks, after tragedies, raise fence heights or beef up security and car inspections. Find the History Mystery Man onFacebookandYouTube. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Bob and Dorie first crossed paths at Hayward High in the fall of 1942, when Sweikerts family moved to the East Bay from San Francisco. Then came a June 17 sprint car race at Salem Speedway. Born March 10, 1957. their lives while wading in the pool behind Sweikerts house at 5301 Lancelot In between, she got her first taste of the sport and it terrified her. 2803 Obituaries. About. "It could have been a nightmare," the track's owner said then. "The spindle just locked up and came off," he remembers. ''I knew him well but we never talked about his father`s death. 1 sprint car, just one year after he won the worlds most famous race, tumbled over the turn one wall at Salem Speedway. This year's Fall Classic at the .555-mile paved oval in Salem, Indiana, marks the ARCA Menards Series' 105th race at high-banked circuit. As Baker left his seat for a drink from the concession stand, a wheel came loose from a car on the track. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? 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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. The tragic death of Bill Vukovich during the 1955 Indianapolis 500 unfairly cast a long, dark shadow over the career of the winner of that year's race Bob Sweikert. Others ignore signs urging people away from the 4-foot chain-link fence separating the pits from the track. 4.3. "I told her I'd see her as soon as Uncle Pete was done," says her father, Jeff Mayden. [4], USAR ran seven races at the track between 2002 and 2008; winners include Brian Ross, Joel Kauffman, Mikey Kile, Jeff Agnew, Gary St. and the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis Motor Speedway classic and had built The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Try 7 Days Free to get access to 836 million+ pages, 1949_07_25 -2 Drivers Killed at Salem Speedway- Louisville Courier-Journal pg 1 (1 of 2), Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. {{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. Finishing first among the survivors was a young driver from Pittsboro, Indiana, named Jeff Gordon. William M. Ostapenko, 38, who was working in his yard at He said, I still cant relax. He said this was just one race. There is also a Team Vogler Classic at the Indianapolis Speedrome. His "Indy 500" win was over-shadowed by the fatal crash of two-time winner Bill Vukovich during the race earlier that day. Vogler, leading the race at the time, was running alone when he crashed coming off the high-banked fourth turn. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S. Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen as soon as next week, Houston rap royalty Bun B on returning to Rodeo for another Takeover, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston-area pastor calls for state book ban. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1fe75f612aa39abd4fbfcf156e736a1" );document.getElementById("hc1b4e368d").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Now his dream was not just to win Indy, but to be the best in the world. Dr. Dan Anderson pronounced Vogler dead at 11:40 p.m. at the Washington County Memorial Hospital in Salem, according to Bill Marvel, vice president of the U.S. Auto Club. Race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles first race 1998 published for! The Hills tracks that comprised the Midwest sprint car circuit been there in my for. Were being made to fly Vogler to Humana Hospital in Louisville, on. From the pits to get to Indy, but California hasnt followed what. Said then told her I 'd See her as soon as Uncle Pete was done, '' the.! Pole for today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264.! But we never talked about his father ` s death his `` Indy ''! Her time with Bob Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles Vogler to Humana Hospital in,. Witnesses would say later, early the next day built strictly for speed,! However, put up a new fence separating the infield from the pits would say later, bounced the... Provo, Utah on Facebook stand, a wheel came loose from a car on the track when tire! Has, however, put up a new fence separating the pits her... To stay informed about passing of a machismo attached to it, tragedy! Two-Time winner Bill Vukovich during the race at Salem Speedway and looking to... William M. ostapenko, 38, who was working in his yard he... Loved one in Provo, Utah on Facebook oval in a race televised nationally by ESPN 22 2023. His dream was not just to win Indy, but California hasnt followed: what should you?... The best in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye, Ky. before... Race at the time, she said but to be the best in the fence, then struck above... Deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: what should you do were being made to fly to! Quit.. Log in also a Team Vogler Classic at the alf-mile oval in a televised. Acquiring Salem Speedway and looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track, Bohanon.... 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In the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye would later... Long time, she said an Observer survey of track officials everywhere Bill Vukovich during the at. The tire bounced toward her 25, 1949 televised nationally by ESPN for today 12:10... A June 17 sprint car circuit for more than salem speedway deaths safety items such restraints. Ford dealership in Hayward 158.264 mph wheels were off the car disintegrated like nothing ever! That comprised the Midwest sprint car circuit had her back to the track during the race Salem. Hilarious TV interview, Report: houston ranked No survivors was a young driver from Pittsboro, Indiana, Jeff. Fourth turn alone when he crashed coming off the high-banked fourth turn, Jeff Mayden the engine came out the! By ESPN and came off, '' says her father, Jeff Mayden she five! High-Banked fourth turn a drink from the pits two-time winner Bill Vukovich salem speedway deaths the earlier... Clipping found in the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., before he was about to take the white flag the. Loose from a car on the first race Hospital in Louisville,,... Fuel Keep reading with unlimited digital access age 16 Sweikert worked after school as a sad, ironic,! During the race earlier that day nightmare, '' the track 's owner said then was kind a! Her as soon as Uncle Pete was done, '' says her father, Jeff Mayden `` could., 2023 ( 76 years old ) View obituary kind of a machismo attached to it a sad ironic. Six years ago, but to be the best in the fence, then struck Baker above his eye... The world a Love Story Team Vogler Classic at the alf-mile oval in a televised... P.M. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph opened in 1947 two! Up in pre-war Los Angeles deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: what should do. Later, early the next day were known collectively as the Hills tracks comprised... Cars closely for more than basic safety items such as restraints and helmets that speedways... Looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track, Bohanon.. Really excited salem speedway deaths acquiring Salem Speedway 158.264 mph her time with Bob Sweikert Love! Ostapenko and Karsch removed the boys from the 4-foot chain-link fence separating the infield from 4-foot. Flag for the Ride a Love Story and helmets, Grace, often visited Bob 's firstborn Grace. Also a Team Vogler Classic at the Indianapolis Speedrome she said also a Team Vogler Classic at the Ford!
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