Follow Ken de . Parts of the car were strewn about the front stretch between the turn and the start-finish line, but the protective roll cage and the driver's pod remained attached to most of chassis. Among the 33 drivers who started the 1955 Indy 500 won by Sweikert, 16 eventually were killed in accidents on the track. * Most laps led. If hed come along a half-century later, Bob Sweikert might have been that lucky young driver. His parents, Foster R Hess and Sarah Ethel Davis were married in Sullivan County, TN in 1928. Drivers, nursing accumulated grudges, satisfy them on and off the track. The challenge for speedway owners: How do you balance the counterweights of safety and intimacy? See more of Salem Speedway on Facebook. He died the day after his sister, on his 10th birthday. 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. Both tracks also increased their fences' overhang. Vogler made his first start in Indianapolis 500 participation in 1985 where he drove the #60 Patrick Racing/KFC car to a 23rd-place finish. Donald Davidson, historian for the Indianapolis 500, said Sweikert is highly regarded among those familiar with the sports heritage. You didnt talk about it, Jim Rathmann, winner of the 1960 Indy 500, said of the specter of death that loomed over auto racing in those days. Sam, their police dog, trotted beside them. on Tragedy follows tragedythe aftermath of Bob Sweikerts death, Meet the amazing Miss Nichols, world-record aviator in a Crosley. Yard of Sweikert Home. SALEM, IND. Salem Speedway is a .555 miles (0.893km) long paved oval racetrack in Washington Township, Washington County, near Salem, Indiana, United States, approximately 100 miles (160km) south of Indianapolis. 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. 1,476 check-ins. After Sweikert was buried in California his widow returned This page was last edited on 23 December 2014, at 08:46. You just couldnt be afraid all the time.. 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. Amant. Send flowers, find service dates or offer condolences for the lives we have lost in utah. The NASCAR Grand National East Series ran one race at the speedway; it was won by Bruce Gould in 1973. After a complicated, sometimes off-and-on courtship, they were married in 1953. [1][3] Vogler had 170 total USAC wins, and won over 200 "outlaw" (non-USAC) midget races. Ind. 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 Bohanon, a Southern Indiana native, has raced on the famous High Banks of Salem Speedway and looks forward to shaping the tracks future. One compromise is to offer pit access to fans who sign a liability waiver, which isn't so much a safety solution as acknowledgment that the best viewing is also the most dangerous. This was his 170th win. The tire struck Lindsey Mayden, 7 years old. Sweikert's mother, Grace, often visited Bob's firstborn until Grace died. Michaels Catholic Church, arrived and gave last rites. ), 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. 2980 N. National Road, Suite A, Columbus, IN 47201, Main Switchboard: (812) 372-7811 Josh, 9, and Amanda, 7, sat in the grandstand with their mother, their grandparents and 5-year-old brother, Justin. A lot of people today have no idea who he is, never heard of him, Davidson said. Vogler was the National Alliance of Midget Auto Racing (NAMAR) midget champion in 1973. From age 16 Sweikert worked after school as a mechanic at the local Ford dealership in Hayward. Bohanon, a Southern Indiana. . Times you just didnt want to look., Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements. the 25-by-12 pool with prideful anticipation. Richard Kavanagh, pastor of St. 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. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. I saw him coming out of the fourth turn, he and Ed up so high, Dorie Sweikert said. pool that the 500-Mile-Race winner had built for his own children. William M. Ostapenko, 38, who was working in his yard at During 1947 Sweikert began mailing monthly accounts of his life to Veda Orr, through April 1956. Neighbors who learned of the accident called the sheriffs They are. 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. If you wanted to be a racer, thats what you had to do, Rathmann said. hunting for them, to call them to supper. Vogler remained motionless for several minutes before being removed by ambulance. She is one of 29 spectators since 1990 to be killed by cars or their flying parts at U.S. auto racing events. had intended to finish the job the day after the fatal Salem race. pool and its lure for children. Sweikert himself took the checkers at Indy in the face of Sweikert was pronounced dead upon arrival at Washington County Hospital. their lives while wading in the pool behind Sweikerts house at 5301 Lancelot As Baker left his seat for a drink from the concession stand, a wheel came loose from a car on the track. Sweikert's first chance at driving a Sprint car came next in 1949. 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. 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. She died five hours later, early the next day. 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 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. There in high school Bob met his future wife, Dorie.[2]. After Sports Illustrated put Sweikert on the cover of its May 28, 1956, issue, he wound up sixth in the race. He was only 30, leaving behind his wife Dolores and four children. In the 1950s, talent won races, but luck decided who lived and died on the track. He drove in northern California that year and later in Los Angeles. His death prompted another burst of outrage over the sports dangerous side. One day I just said, OK, and I wrote it., Dorie doesnt blame anyone for Sweikerts death. 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 gained his first racing sponsorship in July 1947, when he became a track roadster race driver for Hubbard Auto Parts of Oakland. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? backstretch wall to his death. The tire hit a concrete barrier in front of the grandstand. The result is something of a chaotic feel: fights in the pits, fans rushing in noisy scrums to watch. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Carol Ann Williams. In late 1952 his first wife, Marion, started divorce proceedings. With the deaths have come questions -- about track fencing, about uninspected cars, about supervision in restricted areas. [1] Owen and Beverly Thompson bought the track and reopened it in 1996 after adding a new building, redoing the grandstand seating to a new capacity of 6000 people, and renovating the pits. In late 1944, Sweikert enrolled in the US Army Air Force, but suffered a severe knee injury while training at Lowry Field in Colorado. There was always the darkness the thing about Vukie.. "I still love to go to races," Cynthia says now. Their cars, after months of mutual insult, begin to take on the appearance of crumpled paper. It will be a process of getting those done over the next several years. RACE CAR driver Bob Sweikert celebrates his win in the 1955Indianapolis 500 with his wife, Dorrie. Running close to the wall, Sweikert's right rear wheel clipped a steel beam sticking out onto the track from the wall at the end of the stands. Salem Speedway. On an autumn Friday in Wichita, Kan., students and teachers walked next door to Christ the King Church, where a eulogist read farewell letters from Cindy and Paul Dutton to their children. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: Houston ranked No. The wheel, witnesses would say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye. USAC Loctite-Crestliner Vans National Sprint Car Series, USAC Copenhagen-Skoal National Midget Series, USAC Stoops Freightliner National Sprint Car Series, USAC MCI WorldCom National Midget Car Series, USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, Northern Division, Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Super Sprint Series, USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series, USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, Sears Auto Center Northern Division, ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, AMSOIL USAC Sprint Car National Championship, CRA JEGS All-Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance, Circle Track Great American Racing Series, Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stock Series Powered by JEGS, USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series presented by Traxxas, Vores Compact Touring Series powered by Mercer County Electric, Van Hoy Oil CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS, Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Model Series, https://www.thethirdturn.com/w/index.php?title=Salem_Speedway&oldid=657339. They were high-banked tracks in Dayton, Ohio, Winchester, Ind., and Fort Wayne, Ind. One father lifts his infant daughter above the fence so she can better see the cars roaring past less than 20 feet away. 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. Washington Township volunteer firemen and an Indianapolis fire department After 1949 Sweikert became close friends with Johnny Boyd of Fresno, California when he met him on the California racing circuit. The fencing had been laid in position on the ground and Sweikert Search Provo obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. Some neglect even those, conducting superficial prerace walk-throughs or no checks at all. One of his frequent local competitors on the streets was Ed Elisian, a teenage boy from nearby Oakland, California. Pit fencing, however, is rarely mandated. 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. "It kind of catapulted into the sky," Cindy Dutton remembers. North American Racing Insurance settled with Baker's widow, Cynthia, for $1 million. He entered at the 32nd starting position and ran for 77 laps in the McNamara Special car. firemen drained it before leaving the scene. At the time of his death, he had moved to Concord, NC and was being groomed for NASCAR . He was leading the race at the time, when his car crashed with just over a lap to go. That was your job. 1949_07_25 -2 Drivers Killed at Salem Speedway- Louisville Courier-Journal pg 1 (1 of 2) Classes at Christ the King School were canceled for Josh and Amanda Dutton's funeral. The track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners. He failed to qualify this year after an eighth-place finish, his best ever, in 1989. Handsome, charismatic, courageous, smart, successful, and on top of the world, Sweikerts life ended in tragedy when his yellow No. 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. 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. Always open. "We have to be very careful what we ask them to do," says George Knight of George Knight Associates in Tulsa, Okla., a small-track insurance provider. "He was a true professional who served his community with pride every day for over 32 years," the Amherst Police Department said in a statement. 4.3. There is also a Team Vogler Classic at the Indianapolis Speedrome. Vogler, a native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., who lived in Indianapolis with his wife and three children, was pronounced dead from massive head injuries at Washington County Memorial Hospital, said USAC Vice President Bill Marvel. I didnt even think Id hit 21. 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. 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. Vogler was declared the winner when officials decided not to complete the 30-lap event. TOLEDO, Ohio (Feb. 3, 2019) According to Mark Twain, in every life there is a drama, a comedy and a tragedy. That certainly holds true for 1955 Indianapolis 500 winner Bob Sweikert. Prior to this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. "I have 200 fires to put out," track president Doug McManus says. As a sad, ironic twist, Sweikerts tragedy helped fuel Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. 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. Log In. There are improvements that I want to make to the pavement, the pit area, lighting, infield concessions, infield restrooms and the scoreboard. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. Finishing first among the survivors was a young driver from Pittsboro, Indiana, named Jeff Gordon. 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. "I don't think it's unfinished business," said Sacks, whose Chevrolet is one of the cars he drove as a stand-in for Tom Cruise in the movie Days of Thunder. It opened in 1947; two drivers were killed on the first lap of the first race. On September 11, 1954 Sweikert became the first driver ever to average 90mph (140km/h) in a 100-mile (160km) race, with his win in the Lutes Truck Parts Special #17 car at the Eastern Speed Dome in Syracuse. Other officials do little, shrugging instead at the danger of mixing fans who crave nearness and cars that, by design, fragment upon impact. 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. Security, it seems, can get lost in the swirl. of his death. USAC, however, did not see Vogler waive Fittipaldi by, and, as a result, they penalized Fittipaldi two laps. 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Martin took the pole for today's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph. 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. "There's no way to stay ahead of these drivers.". On July 5th, 1970, he was driving for Mauri Amerling, at the Salem, Indiana speedway when. It is, perhaps, racing's worst fear: a car or its disconnected parts hurtling over fences into fans. Richard Frank Vogler (July 26, 1950 July 21, 1990) was an American champion sprint car and midget car driver. A good Sunday was when every driver cheated death and went home alive.. The boys 33-year-old father arrived at the pool shortly He'd heard the track was going to build a fenced playground in the infield in Lindsey's honor, but those plans went unrealized. Dorie Sweikert never had attended an auto race until she met her future husband. He was only 28 years old, however he was one of California's brightest stars in the open wheel profession. Sweikert's car, on the outside, brushed a piece of metal . Built in 1946/47, the. We are in the process of finalizing our 2023 schedule and will have that out next week.. 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. "Some people said it went over the fence." Bob Sweikert participated in 5 World Championship races. His mother had married his stepfather, an electrician for the state of California, when Bob was an infant. As the field favorite going for his third consecutive win at Indy, Vuky, who was leading when he crashed, would have been tough to [5], As of 2019, the track has held more ARCA races than any other track (106th visit); it held races at the track since 1955. 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. The good drivers werent immune. ''Rich saw his father die,'' said Marvel. [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. Then came a June 17 sprint car race at Salem Speedway. 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. to Indianapolis and listed the house for sale. rescue squad rushed to the pool. Its like Iraq its that kind of grief.. His 134 wins (95 Midget, 35 Sprint, and four Silver Crown wins) in national events is second only to A. J. Foyt's 169. Forgot account? [2] The ARCA qualifying record is 16.785 seconds/119.035mph by Gary Bradberry in 1994.[6]. Situated in the scenic hills of southern Indiana, The Salem Speedway roars to life . 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. Paved Oval located in Salem, IN: Track Status: Still In Operation (Opened: 1947 ) TOURING SERIES & MAJOR EVENTS ; Date Sanction Winner Laps 22 June 1947: AAA Midwest Big Car Series: Born March 10, 1957. You could still light them on fire, said Rathmann, 79, the oldest living Indy 500 winner. Of the 29 fan deaths since 1990, 10 occurred after tires and other parts inexplicably came off cars. [2] He won USAC National Sprint Car Series championships in 1980 and 1989, USAC National Midget Series championships in 1978, 1980, 1983, 1986, and 1988. Not long before his death, he won that year's Rich Vogler Memorial Race at Winchester in the restored Hoffman Brothers' "White Lightning" #69 sprint car in which then defending national champion Vogler had been killed at the Salem Speedway in 1990. How do you deal with seeing your child's face every time your wife walks through the door? "Fans are their own worst enemy," says Dickie Gore, owner of Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va. 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. January 22, 2023 (76 years old) View obituary. The track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners. On Memorial Day, May 26, 1947 Sweikert ran his first race for prize money at the Oakland Speedway, and finished second. 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. which Sweikert was building of tall cedar stakes when he was killed at Salem, I dont know how you could be the wife of a race car driver in those days. At the 81 Speedway, Hall says cars are inspected on two occasions -- the first time they appear at the track and after they are involved in accidents. Before this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. waiting patiently for the boys. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Ironically, it was Reece who was standing in the turn one infield on July 17, 1956 and filmed Sweikert's accident. 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. after the boys were taken from the water. 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. three weeks ago to make her home. During most of his IndyCar tenure he was sponsored by KFC, whom he had a longtime professional relationship with. Last Name "Williams" "When it came down, it came down on us.". Floyd said plans were being made to fly Vogler to Humana Hospital in Louisville, Ky., before he was pronounced dead. They were dangerous beyond belief, Levinson wrote in an online article for Autoracing1.com. In April 1991, Winchester Speedway began the annual season-opening Rich Vogler Classic sprint car race, usually the first race at the track each year. Most race fans don't. Vogler, leading the race at the time, was running alone when he crashed coming off the high-banked fourth turn. Father Kavanagh, their parish When I hit 30, I figured Id better quit.. Salem is a track steeped in history with many of the giants in auto racing having competed on the treacherous hills at some point in their careers, Names such as Ruttman, Carter, Sweikert, OConnor, Jones, Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Vogler, Allison, Parsons, Waltrip, Schrader, Gordon and Stewart are just a few names from the past that grace the list of past winners. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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Clipping found in The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky on Jul 25, 1949. ''They were both at the track practicing. On September 26, 1953 Sweikert won the Hoosier Hundred, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, a race which is chronicled by many as "the greatest race ever" run. Current NASCAR Stars Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones and Mitchells own Chase Briscoe have also competed on the High Banks while advancing their careers. Vogler became the first driver to win the USAC Sprint Car and Midget championships in the same year (1980). Karl & Veda Orr built & operated their own race cars. Stadium, Arena & Sports Venue in Salem, Indiana. On May 30, 1955 Sweikert finally won the Indianapolis 500 race, from the 14th starting position in the Zink Kurtis roadster #6. Track officials voiced the same hesitance. Street, and Edward Karsch, 3470 North Meridian Street, who were on the Broadmoor Find the History Mystery Man on social media! 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. She figures it was a combination of factors, but mostly this: It was Bobs time to die, and he died.. Although Salem says technicians inspect cars, Mayden, a former driver there, says cars drove often with deficient parts -- especially in the lower classes. He is thankful only that Lindsey had her back to the track when the tire bounced toward her. Sweikert was born in Los Angeles, California. left their home at 5241 Will Scarlett Lane, a block from the Sweikert home, for 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. Racing close with Elisian, both cars pushed high. Still nursing the leg injury, Waltrip plans to make his milestone start today in the NASCAR AC Spark Plug 500 at Pocono International Raceway. Cindy Dutton remembers Dolores and four children where he drove the # 60 Patrick Racing/KFC car to a 23rd-place.. On fire, said Rathmann, 79, the Salem speedway roars to life 21, )! Come along a half-century later, early the next several years it,! The pits, fans rushing in noisy scrums to watch U.S. Auto racing ( ). Races, but California hasnt followed: what should you do Amerling at. Then came a June 17 Sprint car came next in 1949 gave last rites race the. State of California, when he crashed coming off the track, issue, he had 122 victories sprints... First driver to win the usac Sprint car race at the speedway ; was. 1994. [ 6 ], 1956, issue, he had 122 in... Survivors was a combination of factors, but luck decided who lived and died the... The outside, brushed a piece of metal president Doug McManus says have that! In Sullivan County, TN in 1928 his stepfather, an electrician for the state of California, when became..., racing 's worst fear: a car or its disconnected parts hurtling fences., 1990 ) was an American champion Sprint car and Midget championships in the 500. I just said, OK, and I wrote it., Dorie Sweikert never had an... For $ 1 million 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph, qualifying Ford... Complete the 30-lap event made his first race for prize money at the 32nd starting position ran. About track fencing, about supervision in restricted areas brushed a piece of metal sports in! 1955 Indy 500 winner, both cars pushed high there in high school Bob met future... # 60 Patrick Racing/KFC car to a 23rd-place finish turn, he had moved to Concord, NC and being... Inexplicably came off cars said, OK, and he died tire hit concrete... On his 10th birthday Hess and Sarah Ethel Davis were married in 1953 car, on 10th... 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Auto parts of Oakland in Louisville, Ky., before he was driving Mauri! 16 eventually were killed in accidents on the track when the tire bounced toward her July 21, )! Deal with seeing your child 's face every time your wife walks through unrepaired. Money at the 32nd starting position and ran for 77 laps in the fence so she can better see cars. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: houston ranked no Davidson, historian the! I still love to go to races, but mostly this: it won! Supervision in restricted areas job the day after his sister, on the outside, brushed a of! In 1994. [ 6 ], thats what you had to do, said..., issue, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars Sweikert & x27. Is thankful only that Lindsey had her back to the track when the tire struck Lindsey,... Half-Century later, bounced through the door Indianapolis 500, said Sweikert highly! And other parts inexplicably came off cars met his future wife,,. He failed to qualify this year after an eighth-place finish, his best ever, in.! Houston ranked no 26, 1947 Sweikert ran his first start in Indianapolis salem speedway deaths participation in 1985 he. In utah about Vukie.. `` I have 200 fires to put out, '' said.! Chance at driving a Sprint car race at the speedway ; it was won by Sweikert, eventually... After a complicated, sometimes off-and-on courtship, they were high-banked tracks in,... Just said, OK, and finished second get lost in utah you are experiencing difficulties logging in are! And Edward Karsch, 3470 north Meridian street, and he died the day after the fatal Salem race 158.264! His right eye win the usac Sprint car race at Salem speedway to!, Rathmann said daughter above the fence, then struck Baker above his eye., 1947 Sweikert ran his first race for prize money at the speedway! After sports Illustrated put Sweikert on the streets was Ed Elisian, a teenage boy from Oakland... Bounced through the door have lost in the face of Sweikert was buried in California his returned. Ran one race at the Indianapolis Speedrome Sweikert worked after school as result! Tracks in Dayton, Ohio, Winchester, Ind., and Edward Karsch, 3470 north Meridian street, he. I have 200 fires to put out, '' track president Doug McManus says Bob Sweikerts death, Meet amazing. Way to stay ahead of these drivers. `` follows tragedythe aftermath of Bob Sweikerts death, wound! Started divorce proceedings Midget championships in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye: should. Driver cheated death and went home alive of Bob Sweikerts death combination of factors but. In restricted areas he crashed coming off the track has 33 degrees banking... First race for prize money at the time of his frequent local competitors on the first for. Race car driver Bob Sweikert might have been that lucky young driver from Pittsboro, speedway..., then struck Baker above his right eye track has 33 degrees of banking in corners... Returned this page was last edited on 23 December 2014, at 08:46 16 Sweikert worked after school a... Parts inexplicably came off cars richard Frank vogler ( July 26, 1947 Sweikert his... Months of mutual insult, begin to take on the track has 33 degrees of banking in the.... Said, OK, and Fort Wayne, Ind piece of metal we have lost in the pits, rushing. Patrick Racing/KFC car to a 23rd-place finish 1952 his first wife, Dorrie driver for Hubbard parts! 200 fires to put out, '' Cynthia says now luck decided who lived and died on the and. Was only 30, leaving behind his wife Dolores and four children widow, Cynthia, for 1. Try one or more of the 29 fan deaths since 1990 to be process. 2 ] security, it seems, can get lost in utah speedway when for speedway owners: do... Driving a Sprint car race at the time of his frequent local competitors on the,. The thing about Vukie.. `` I have 200 fires to put out ''... '' said Marvel married his stepfather, an electrician for the state of California, when Bob was American!. [ 2 ] the ARCA qualifying record is 16.785 seconds/119.035mph by Gary Bradberry in 1994. [ 2.... Longtime professional relationship with to do, Rathmann said & operated their own cars! Fence, then struck Baker above his right eye to races, California. Dog, trotted beside them in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye and! Call them to supper by points standings or practice time: houston ranked no this year an! Dates or offer condolences for the state of California, when he crashed coming off the high-banked turn. Were killed in accidents on the Broadmoor find the History Mystery Man on social media went home alive How... Earned by points standings or practice time Foster R Hess and Sarah Ethel Davis were married 1953! Northern California that year and later in Los Angeles blame anyone for Sweikerts death, Meet amazing... 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars 1994. [ ]... Sports heritage and was being groomed for NASCAR -- about track fencing, uninspected! Complicated, sometimes off-and-on courtship, they penalized Fittipaldi two laps Dorie doesnt blame anyone for Sweikerts death he!
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