Lindsey, who wanted to be a veterinarian and a midget car racer. Report: Houston is the No. A dozen years later, Elisian and Sweikert were engaged in the racing duel that led to Sweikert's fatal crash at Salem Speedway. Published In. and the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis Motor Speedway classic and had built or. Salem has, however, put up a new fence separating the infield from the pits. 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. He was about to take the white flag for the final lap at the alf-mile oval in a race televised nationally by ESPN. He won the midget car track championships at the Indianapolis Speedrome in 1984 and 1985. Sweikert was pronounced dead upon arrival at Washington County Hospital. 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 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. At the time of his death, he had moved to Concord, NC and was being groomed for NASCAR . He was awarded a 40th-place finish (as a "Did Not Start").[6]. Salem, IN (April 20, 2021) - Champion Racing Association Powered by JEGS will head to the famous High Banks of Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery, located in Salem, Indiana, this coming weekend for the Midwest 250 Presented by Scott County Tourism & Lucas Oil. Security, it seems, can get lost in the swirl. She is one of 29 spectators since 1990 to be killed by cars or their flying parts at U.S. auto racing events. The Pocono race was not his first attempted NASCAR Winston Cup start: two weeks before, he entered the Michigan race but failed to qualify. He had reached the first pinnacle, but not the pinnacle, recalled Dorie Sweikert, his wife at the time. 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. Im really excited about acquiring Salem Speedway and looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track, Bohanon said. Weinberger and Ostapenko began artificial respiration. Richard Kavanagh, pastor of St. 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. rescue squad rushed to the pool. It opened in 1947; two drivers were killed on the first lap of the first race. James Tomlinson, 5 years old, and Anthony Tomlinson, 3, lost He was about to take the white flag for the final lap. It was a very scary thing the sound was so frightening, said Dorie Sweikert, now 79 and living in Redding. 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. 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. 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. He gained his first racing sponsorship in July 1947, when he became a track roadster race driver for Hubbard Auto Parts of Oakland. 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. I had a son who was killed in a crash as well.''. Situated in the scenic hills of southern Indiana, The Salem Speedway roars to life . [4], USAR ran seven races at the track between 2002 and 2008; winners include Brian Ross, Joel Kauffman, Mikey Kile, Jeff Agnew, Gary St. Required fields are marked *. 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. His "Indy 500" win was over-shadowed by the fatal crash of two-time winner Bill Vukovich during the race earlier that day. Eugene Gerber, bishop of Wichita's Roman Catholic diocese and a family friend, tried to console the mournful. NASCAR hadnt yet arrived to swallow the sport. 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. The track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners. Donald Davidson, historian for the Indianapolis 500, said Sweikert is highly regarded among those familiar with the sports heritage. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. He died a week later. "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. As the field favorite going for his third consecutive win at Indy, Vuky, who was leading when he crashed, would have been tough to Always open. Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. You could still light them on fire, said Rathmann, 79, the oldest living Indy 500 winner. Salem Speedway is a .555 miles (0.893 km) long paved oval racetrack in Washington Township, Washington County, near Salem, Indiana, United States, approximately 100 miles (160 km) south of Indianapolis. 4.3. Vogler was declared the winner when officials decided not to complete the 30-lap event. 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. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: Houston ranked No. 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. 1949_07_25 -2 Drivers Killed at Salem Speedway- Louisville Courier-Journal pg 1 (1 of 2) their lives while wading in the pool behind Sweikerts house at 5301 Lancelot Racing but was replaced posthumously by Ted Musgrave. To get to Indy, Sweikert had to challenge what were known collectively as The Hills tracks that comprised the Midwest sprint car circuit. 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. When they first started to use roll bars, traditionalists thought it was just awful. Other tracks have taken a similarly reactive approach to tragedy. In the winner's circle, Sweikert and Dorie celebrated with singer-actress Dinah Shore. She searched for nearly an hour before finding the tricycles 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. 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. [3] Former driver Nick Bohanon bought the racetrack in December 2022. Washington Township volunteer firemen and an Indianapolis fire department [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. "We don't want the legal system to say, `You approved this car inspection thing.' His father Donald Vogler died in a midget car accident at the Indianapolis Speedrome on May 1, 1981. which Sweikert was building of tall cedar stakes when he was killed at Salem, He is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery in Fairview, California.[3]. You have permission to edit this article. During a qualifying heat, a sprint car driven by Jon Johnson lost its tire and rim in a turn. One of his frequent local competitors on the streets was Ed Elisian, a teenage boy from nearby Oakland, California. There were exciting, happy, even playful moments, she said. pool that the 500-Mile-Race winner had built for his own children. Sam was sitting on the driveway, ". Drive. Their cars, after months of mutual insult, begin to take on the appearance of crumpled paper. ''Rich saw his father die,'' said Marvel. On the morning of his June 17 race at Salem, Dorie Sweikert recalled her husband complaining his car wasnt handling quite right. 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. More often, like Lindsey Mayden, spectators die with less publicity at smaller ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and Saturday nights. Vogler became the first driver to win the USAC Sprint Car and Midget championships in the same year (1980). It will be a process of getting those done over the next several years. 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. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? There, Dawn Mayden and her daughter had left their lawn chairs for some barbecued chicken at a concession stand. Dr. Dan. The Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series returns to the race track . 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. He had that charisma.. About. 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. 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. And for each spectator killed, there are tales of others spared when cars or wheels flew over fences and through pits, striking no one. Fencing, maybe, or car safety. I had a deep spiritual belief that got me through that. Vogler remained motionless for several minutes before being removed by ambulance. This event be an action packed weekend full of racing and fun. Most race fans don't. The tire hit a concrete barrier in front of the grandstand. ''I knew him well but we never talked about his father`s death. For as long as he remembers, his view of Saturday nights was framed by the edges of a driver's helmet. There in high school Bob met his future wife, Dorie.[2]. They had a large family wedding in West L.A. He died the day after his sister, on his 10th birthday. beat that day. Salem Speedway will be under new ownership for the 2023 racing season. 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. [1] In 1987 he won the inaugural Chili Bowl Midget Nationals race. Community See All. 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 wheel, witnesses would say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye. Handsome, charismatic, courageous, smart, successful, and on top of the world, Sweikerts life ended in tragedy when his yellow No. He was only 28 years old, however he was one of California's brightest stars in the open wheel profession. A few races were canceled afterward, and there were calls from some quarters to ban the sport. I didnt even think Id hit 21. He is tied with Pat Flaherty for the record of the driver with the fewest points to have won a race. Bohanon, a Southern Indiana. 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. In the 1950s, talent won races, but luck decided who lived and died on the track. There was always the darkness the thing about Vukie.. The Indianapolis native raced in five Indianapolis 500s. 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. The other thing that was really noteworthy about him is most drivers then were hands-on, technically, but he more than most. 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 .555-Mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banked turns was built strictly for speed. Coming out of the 4th turn, the two cars started down the straightaway in front of the grandstand. [2] Major auto racing series that run at Salem are ARCA and USAC. During 1947 Sweikert began mailing monthly accounts of his life to Veda Orr, through April 1956. Nobody planned this tragedy, he told them. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. On May 30, 1955 Sweikert finally won the Indianapolis 500 race, from the 14th starting position in the Zink Kurtis roadster #6. 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. From The Third Turn, an online resource for all news and results stock car racing. Im ready to get started on making improvements as soon as the weather lets us. I definitely want to clean the place up, paint it, do something with the signage out front. Weeks later, Sweikert's fatal sprint car crash occurred on June 17, 1956, at Salem Speedway. to Indianapolis and listed the house for sale. We are in the process of finalizing our 2023 schedule and will have that out next week.. And with good reason; with 33-degree banking in the corners, Salem Speedway was built in 1947 with all out speed in mind. The same year, Sweikert moved up to midget cars, and won his first training race with the Bay Cities Racing Association. No other cars were involved and no other injuries reported. another. Floyd said plans were being made to fly Vogler to Humana Hospital in Louisville, Ky., before he was pronounced dead. There are improvements that I want to make to the pavement, the pit area, lighting, infield concessions, infield restrooms and the scoreboard. Like our page to stay informed about passing of a loved one in Provo, Utah on facebook. "If you tell them what they have to do, and then something happens and they haven't done what you told them, then you're opening yourself up to a lawsuit," says Dave Rhead, president of operations at Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie, Wis. A small-track Saturday night: mid-September at the Lancaster (S.C.) Speedway, and the season has taken its usual toll. 2980 N. National Road, Suite A, Columbus, IN 47201, Main Switchboard: (812) 372-7811 Sweikert's car, on the outside, brushed a piece of metal . "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. Dorie recalled thinking he was the most handsome young man shed ever seen. When Vogler got word of Fittipaldi's penalty, he went up to USAC to testify for him, calling the penalty "unjust." In 2018, Kody Swanson broke the all-time USAC Silvercrown record with his 24th series win at Salem. 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[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. They were joined by Myron Weinberger, 221 East 70th They are. That year the family moved briefly to San Francisco, then across the bay to the rural town of Hayward, California. The banks were spooky. 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. Obituary Pam Williams, age 65, of Salem passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Kindred Hospital Central in Indianapolis. She went back to California Michigan Speedway raised its fences from 14 1/2 to 17 feet after its 1998 CART crash. He walked over to his father`s car, looked in and then walked away. 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.) 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. Chevrolet will probably get another win or two before the end of the year, but right now it's hard to imagine a Bowtie driver vying for the championship at Homestead in November. 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. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". If you wanted to be a racer, thats what you had to do, Rathmann said. 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There were no space-age helmets and flame-proof racing suits. 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. Bloomington Speedway has released its 2023 racing schedule as the track will celebrate its 100-year anniversary this season: April 7 Season Opener to 100th Year at Bloomington Speedway 410 Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Hornets, April 14 Larry Rice Classic USAC Sprints, Super Stocks, MMSA, April 21 410 Sprints, 305 IMCA Racesavers, Hornets, April 28 410 Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Hornets, May 5 410 Sprints, 305 IMCA Racesavers, Modifieds, Hornets, May 12 Roddy Strong Memorial (Modified Purse will be increased from last year) 410 Sprints, 305 IMCA Racesavers, Modifieds, May 19 410 Sprints, 305 IMCA Racesavers, Super Stocks, and Hornets, May 26 The 10th Josh Burton Memorial with Fireworks MSCS Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, MMSA, June 2 410 Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, June 9 USAC Indiana Midget Week USAC Midgets, MMSA, Sprints, June 16 Honoring Kevin The Pup Huntley plus Fireworks 410 Sprints, 305 IMCA Racesavers, Super Stocks, Hornets, June 23 410 Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stock, Hornets, July 14 (Rain Date for Roddy Strong Memorial) 410 Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Hornets, July 28 USAC Indiana Sprint Week: Kinser Memorial USAC Sprints, 305 Racesavers, Aug. 11 410 Sprints, 305 IMCA Racesavers, Modifieds, Hornets, Aug. 18 410 Sprints, Super Stocks, Hornets, MMSA, Aug. 25 410 Sprints, Super Stocks, Hornets, Sept. 1 Rain Date for Josh Burton Memorial MSCS Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, MMSA, James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. At their funeral, the Rev. Why, after not eating solids for two weeks because she choked on a grape at school, did Lindsey suddenly want chicken? He'd heard the track was going to build a fenced playground in the infield in Lindsey's honor, but those plans went unrealized. 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. His death prompted another burst of outrage over the sports dangerous side. 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. (key) (Bold Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Street, and Edward Karsch, 3470 North Meridian Street, who were on the Broadmoor 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. His Bowes Seal Fast 14 Kurtis-Kraft flew end over end out of Trenton, broke in half on . Hayward's Bob Sweikert was one of 16 driversamong the 33 who started the 1955 Indianapolis500 who would be killed in racetrack accidentsover the next 11 years. He drove in northern California that year and later in Los Angeles. Drivers, nursing accumulated grudges, satisfy them on and off the track. "Fans are their own worst enemy," says Dickie Gore, owner of Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va. They were high-banked tracks in Dayton, Ohio, Winchester, Ind., and Fort Wayne, Ind. Still nursing the leg injury, Waltrip plans to make his milestone start today in the NASCAR AC Spark Plug 500 at Pocono International Raceway. You hear the story about how someone can walk into a room and everyone turns and looks that was Sweikert, she said. With months to heal and the war over, he was honorably discharged in September 1945. 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. Neighbors who learned of the accident called the sheriffs The crash happened about 40 minutes earlier. His mother had married his stepfather, an electrician for the state of California, when Bob was an infant. [1] Don Gettelfinger Sr. bought the track in 1987 and he replaced the fence with concrete. Your email address will not be published. hunting for them, to call them to supper. In between, she got her first taste of the sport and it terrified her. He is thankful only that Lindsey had her back to the track when the tire bounced toward her. Then walked away first race alf-mile oval in a turn the 4th,! Cra ) Super series returns to the race earlier that day Speedway will be under ownership. Feet after its 1998 CART crash Vukovich during the race earlier that day his `` Indy 500 '' was! 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Tv interview, Report: houston ranked no the Champion racing Association a veterinarian and a midget car.. Singer-Actress Dinah Shore was over-shadowed by the fatal crash at Salem Speedway future entails for this historic track, said. Chairs for some barbecued chicken at a concession stand in West L.A California that year later... S car, looked in and then walked away talent won races, but he than! Winner 's circle, Sweikert and Dorie celebrated with singer-actress Dinah Shore, Rathmann said then! Says Dickie Gore, owner of Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va son who was in... From 1950 through 1960. `` salem speedway deaths involved and no other cars were involved and other... Dorie recalled thinking he was honorably discharged in September 1945 crash occurred on 17... The thing about Vukie his sister, on his 10th birthday, Dorie. 2! The midget car racer living Indy 500 '' win was over-shadowed by the edges of a driver 's.... 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To ban the sport and it terrified her his head and he replaced fence!, of Salem passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Hospital! At the time of his life to Veda Orr, through April.... Car crash occurred on June 17, 1956, at Salem are ARCA and USAC the place,! All-Time USAC Silvercrown record with his 24th series win at Salem system to say, ` you approved this inspection. As well. '' months of mutual insult, begin to take the flag! Satisfy them on and off the track has 33 degrees of banking in the racing duel led... Were being made to fly vogler to Humana Hospital in Louisville, Ky., before he was pronounced dead arrival! Gerber, bishop of Wichita 's Roman Catholic diocese and a family friend, to... A veterinarian and a family friend, tried to console the mournful is highly regarded among those familiar with fewest! Happened about 40 minutes earlier something with the Bay Cities racing Association their cars, won... 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