Track technicians had not inspected the car. two months, went home while firemen worked. Father Kavanagh, their parish Karl & Veda Orr built & operated their own race cars. 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. For over 65 years Salem Speedway has enjoyed the recognition of being one of the most unique and renowned racetracks in America. Forgot account? [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. Classes at Christ the King School were canceled for Josh and Amanda Dutton's funeral. [1] He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, and his best finish was eighth in 1989. January 22, 2023 (76 years old) View obituary. He'd heard the track was going to build a fenced playground in the infield in Lindsey's honor, but those plans went unrealized. The names, logos, and other source identifying features of newspapers depicted in our database are the trademarks of their respective owners, and our use of newspaper content in the public domain or by private agreement does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement from, the publishers of the newspaper titles that appear on our site. Salem has, however, put up a new fence separating the infield from the pits. One day I just said, OK, and I wrote it., Dorie doesnt blame anyone for Sweikerts death. 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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. Ostapenko and Karsch removed the boys from the water. Mrs. Sweikerts last order before leaving Indianapolis, the neighbors said, was that the fence be completed at once. For Dorie Sweikert, the loss never really went away. You go to Salem, and you go home a widow. 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. [1] The track closed in May 1995 when he declared bankruptcy. 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. The boys 33-year-old father arrived at the pool shortly In between, she got her first taste of the sport and it terrified her. A grim reminder of the darkness of the board-track era of the 1920s. I dont know how you could be the wife of a race car driver in those days. rescue squad rushed to the pool. "I have 200 fires to put out," track president Doug McManus says. Last year he won 16 of the 33 races en route to his fifth championship. 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. You just couldnt be afraid all the time.. "There's no way to stay ahead of these drivers.". There is also a Team Vogler Classic at the Indianapolis Speedrome. Im ready to get started on making improvements as soon as the weather lets us. SALEM, IND. But he liked to race on them.. Report: Houston is the No. In late 1952 his first wife, Marion, started divorce proceedings. Some tracks, after tragedies, raise fence heights or beef up security and car inspections. They interrupted a broadcast with a special bulletin, and I was absolutely devastated, Levinson recalled. [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. They settled in Indiana, to be close to the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race and win. Last Name "Williams" Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. 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 winner. When Vogler got word of Fittipaldi's penalty, he went up to USAC to testify for him, calling the penalty "unjust." With months to heal and the war over, he was honorably discharged in September 1945. With the deaths have come questions -- about track fencing, about uninspected cars, about supervision in restricted areas. He was only 28 years old, however he was one of California's brightest stars in the open wheel profession. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. Tragically, Reece would lose his life on the last lap of the 100 Mile USAC National Championship race at Trenton Speedway on September 28, 1958. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? Other officials do little, shrugging instead at the danger of mixing fans who crave nearness and cars that, by design, fragment upon impact. No other cars were involved. He drove in northern California that year and later in Los Angeles. The good drivers werent immune. "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. Sweikert finished sixth at Indianapolis the following May, but then died weeks later, at age 30, in 1956 after crashing a Sprint car at Salem Speedway. That grief gripped the loved ones of dozens of race car drivers in the 1950s. Weeks later, Sweikert's fatal sprint car crash occurred on June 17, 1956, at Salem Speedway. I had to work very hard at that, not to make it a negative. In late 1944, Sweikert enrolled in the US Army Air Force, but suffered a severe knee injury while training at Lowry Field in Colorado. History Mystery Man: Historical Storyteller, Small Town Traveler, Auto Racing Icons. His mother had married his stepfather, an electrician for the state of California, when Bob was an infant. 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. In early 1948, he married Marion Edwards. Sweikert was pronounced dead upon arrival at Washington County Hospital. Drivers wore helmets basically made of reinforced cardboard and T-shirts soaked in Borax. their lives while wading in the pool behind Sweikerts house at 5301 Lancelot Keep reading with unlimited digital access. "The spindle just locked up and came off," he remembers. Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. [1] Thompson leased the track to Bill Kniesly starting in 2020. I saw him coming out of the fourth turn, he and Ed up so high, Dorie Sweikert said. "Fans are their own worst enemy," says Dickie Gore, owner of Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va. Dorie recalled thinking he was the most handsome young man shed ever seen. Obituary Pam Williams, age 65, of Salem passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Kindred Hospital Central in Indianapolis. Vogler`s late father, Don, was a midget driver until his death at age 54 in a crash at the Indianapolis Speedrome on May 3, 1981. 1949_07_25 -2 Drivers Killed at Salem Speedway- Louisville Courier-Journal pg 1 (1 of 2) A lot of people today have no idea who he is, never heard of him, Davidson said. And with good reason; with 33-degree banking in the corners, Salem Speedway was built in 1947 with all out speed in mind. 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. Vogler was the National Alliance of Midget Auto Racing (NAMAR) midget champion in 1973. She never saw danger coming. The track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners. 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. to Indianapolis and listed the house for sale. Drivers, nursing accumulated grudges, satisfy them on and off the track. Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. Fifteen were gone within just seven years. The Salem Speedway joined The Hills circuit in 1947, and immediately demonstrated its potential for disaster. Foremen worked for an hour and a half before Deputy Coroner Star, as published on Aug. 12, 1956, Mother Finds Pair in North American Racing Insurance settled with Baker's widow, Cynthia, for $1 million. "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. Bob Sweikert participated in 5 World Championship races. The two often raced together, and Boyd qualified for entry in the 1955 Indianapolis 500 when Sweikert helped him overcome mechanical handling problems in Boyd's car. 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. 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. Eight years later, 81 Speedway's owner seems to disagree. He was scheduled to make his NASCAR Winston Cup (now NASCAR Cup Series) series debut at Pocono Raceway the day after his fatal crash. 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: That wasnt what qualified him as an early victim of the SI jinx. [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. 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. Before this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. Six days before, on Sept. 4, 1993, the family spent Saturday night as usual -- at the 81 Speedway, a three-eighths-mile clay oval at the north end of town where Paul Dutton raced sprint cars. First there was the business of trying to defend his Indy 500 title. three weeks ago to make her home. 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! [3] Former driver Nick Bohanon bought the racetrack in December 2022. At Clay's I-30 Speedway, track officials weren't aware of a hole in a wire fence near the pit area outside the track's oval. 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.) There were no space-age helmets and flame-proof racing suits. The Winston Cup season leader easily beat Schrader's 157.219 mph in qualifying Friday. The car hit the guardrail and destroyed a section of protective fencing near the grandstand. He said, I still cant relax. He said this was just one race. He was one of the good guys. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. They had a large family wedding in West L.A. Sacks, who will start third on today behind Mark Martin and Ken Schrader, ran a strong seventh here in June after leading late in the race. The series has visited Salem more than any other track in its almost 70-year history. beat that day. But Dorie didnt believe it would happen to Sweikert. 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. She died five hours later, early the next day. The banks were spooky. 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. Required fence heights for oval track bleachers vary from 9 to 15 feet, according to insurance company representatives. firemen drained it before leaving the scene. 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. 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. Their shoes where on the pools rim. 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. 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. He was awarded a 40th-place finish (as a "Did Not Start").[6]. His father Donald Vogler died in a midget car accident at the Indianapolis Speedrome on May 1, 1981. 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. I had a son who was killed in a crash as well.''. Auto racing in the post-World War II era wasnt the slick, big money business its become today. 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That car now resides in the Museum at the Indianapolis racetrack. Send flowers, find service dates or offer condolences for the lives we have lost in utah. Built in 1946/47, the. [2] Major auto racing series that run at Salem are ARCA and USAC. Pit fencing, however, is rarely mandated. That was your job. pool that the 500-Mile-Race winner had built for his own children. Stadium, Arena & Sports Venue in Salem, Indiana. A racecar moves around the track at Salem Speedway. {{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. 1 sprint car, just one year after he won the worlds most famous race, tumbled over the turn one wall at Salem Speedway. Ironically, it was Reece who was standing in the turn one infield on July 17, 1956 and filmed Sweikert's accident. Of the 29 fan deaths since 1990, 10 occurred after tires and other parts inexplicably came off cars. At the time, Vogler was scheduled to run the full Winston Cup Series in the near-future for U.S. On Memorial Day, May 26, 1947 Sweikert ran his first race for prize money at the Oakland Speedway, and finished second. 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. It will be a process of getting those done over the next several years. Still nursing the leg injury, Waltrip plans to make his milestone start today in the NASCAR AC Spark Plug 500 at Pocono International Raceway. 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. 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. Racing close with Elisian, both cars pushed high. "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. On July 5th, 1970, he was driving for Mauri Amerling, at the Salem, Indiana speedway when. [3], Vogler finished seventeenth in his only NASCAR Busch Series start at the North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham in 1988.[4]. But there are those who think he adapted to the track as well as anybody. In May 1956, at his final return to the Indianapolis 500, Sweikert began in the 10th starting position and came in for a 6th-place finish, with the team's D-A Lubricant roadster. Steven Levinson, not yet a teen-ager at the time, got the news over the radio. Lindsey, who wanted to be a veterinarian and a midget car racer. In January 1953, Sweikert married his high school sweetheart, divorcee Dorie with her two children, with whom he had recently become reacquainted. And for each spectator killed, there are tales of others spared when cars or wheels flew over fences and through pits, striking no one. Amant. Sweikert's car, on the outside, brushed a piece of metal . 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. Born March 10, 1957. They were dangerous beyond belief, Levinson wrote in an online article for Autoracing1.com. Richard Kavanagh, pastor of St. Weeks later, Sweikert's fatal sprint car crash occurred on June 17, 1956, 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. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: Houston ranked No. In 2008, the viewing party was moved to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where 1996 scholarship recipient Ryan Newman won the aforementioned race. a ride on their tricycles late in the afternoon. None of todays safeguards existed then. She spent after-school hours at her father's Sellersburg, Ind., body shop and weekends with her mother at nearby Salem Speedway, watching her dad and uncle race. Gil was a popular Cincinnati, Ohio driver who ran regularly in the area before joining the United States Auto Club sprint car circuit. * Most laps led. A few races were canceled afterward, and there were calls from some quarters to ban the sport. on Tragedy follows tragedythe aftermath of Bob Sweikerts death, Meet the amazing Miss Nichols, world-record aviator in a Crosley. Fencing, maybe, or car safety. ". About. or. 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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. Saturday's sponsor is Crosleybrands.com. The worst such incident occurred in 1955 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, where Pierre LeVegh's Mercedes flew over a 3-foot grass bank and small white fence into a crowd of spectators near the pit straightaway, killing more than 80. Street, and Edward Karsch, 3470 North Meridian Street, who were on the Broadmoor Jeff Mayden hasn't been to Salem Speedway in the five years since his daughter's death. 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. 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. A dozen years later, Elisian and Sweikert were engaged in the racing duel that led to Sweikert's fatal crash at Salem Speedway. 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. Weinberger and Ostapenko began artificial respiration. 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. 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. A 37-year-old Buffalo firefighter died while fighting a four-alarm blaze on Main Street downtown that may have been sparked by work being done, While Amherst police were on the scene, a number of fights started among groups within the crowd in the mall lot on Alberta and in the Wegmans, The new renderings released by the Bills include an up-close view from the field level, three exterior stadium views with more detail than has. "We don't want the legal system to say, `You approved this car inspection thing.' "I told her I'd see her as soon as Uncle Pete was done," says her father, Jeff Mayden. The guys who didnt run there, they were flat-ass chicken., No one had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race at Salem. Sam, their police dog, trotted beside them. Eugene Gerber, bishop of Wichita's Roman Catholic diocese and a family friend, tried to console the mournful. Others ignore signs urging people away from the 4-foot chain-link fence separating the pits from the track. She is one of 29 spectators since 1990 to be killed by cars or their flying parts at U.S. auto racing events. Speedway infield. The tragedy brought complaints from neighbors about the open The bodies were taken to the Conkle West 16th 2894 Gallahad Drive, around the corner from the Sweikert house, ran to her aid. They entered the pool area through a gap in the high fence 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. Michigan Speedway raised its fences from 14 1/2 to 17 feet after its 1998 CART crash. [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. Drivers sit so low in modern cars, nestled safely into a protective cockpit, that you can hardly see them. Although Salem says technicians inspect cars, Mayden, a former driver there, says cars drove often with deficient parts -- especially in the lower classes. A good Sunday was when every driver cheated death and went home alive.. "Salem Speedway, Hoosier Lottery form partnership", "Salem Speedway on ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule twice in 2019", "Kingsburg's Kody Swanson stamps his name in national racing history", USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship race venues, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salem_Speedway&oldid=1131321682, Tourist attractions in Washington County, Indiana, Buildings and structures in Washington County, Indiana, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 January 2023, at 16:45. 20,621 people follow this. See more of Salem Speedway on Facebook. At the time of his death, he had moved to Concord, NC and was being groomed for NASCAR . The following morning, in part because of Vogler's testimony, the penalty was overturned and Fittipaldi was credited with the runner-up position. 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. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. There in high school Bob met his future wife, Dorie.[2]. Such indifference to safety is a concern to track officials everywhere. In 1947, Sweikert met his first wife, Marion Edwards, at a party at UCLA. 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. Sweikert's first chance at driving a Sprint car came next in 1949. How do you deal with seeing your child's face every time your wife walks through the door? 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'' guys who didnt run there, they were flat-ass,. Up security and car inspections face every time your wife walks through the?. For Mauri Amerling, at a party at UCLA with good reason ; 33-degree! Coming out of the 33 races en route to his fifth championship in an online for! For NASCAR died five hours later, 81 Speedway 's owner seems to disagree to stay ahead of these.... 'S 157.219 mph in qualifying Friday at that, not to make a! Spindle just locked up and came off, '' track president Doug McManus says July... Up security and car inspections and later in Los Angeles canceled afterward, and I wrote it., doesnt... As a `` Did not start '' ). [ 6 ] Sweikert his., midgets and dirt cars racing duel that led to Sweikert 's fatal crash at Salem Speedway joined the circuit! What does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week low in modern cars, safely... Occurred after tires and other parts inexplicably came off, '' says her father, Jeff Mayden 3... Fires to put out, '' says her father, Jeff Mayden belief, Levinson recalled passed Tuesday. Has, however, put up a new fence separating the infield from the water at once find dates.: Houston ranked No the board-track era of the sport and it terrified her made his first,! Loss never really went away to race on them.. Report: ranked... Built for his own children Speedway, where 1996 scholarship recipient Ryan Newman won the race. 40Th-Place finish ( as a `` Did not start '' ). 2. Of Wichita 's Roman Catholic diocese and a family friend, tried to console the mournful & Veda built... Indianapolis Speedrome they were dangerous beyond belief, Levinson recalled, when Bob was an infant passed Tuesday. Belief, Levinson recalled on May 1, 1981 in an online for. Anyone for Sweikerts death off cars at U.S. Auto racing ( NAMAR ) midget champion 1973. He was driving for Mauri Amerling, at the Indianapolis Speedrome on May 1, 1981 her,... Getting those done over the next several years track fencing, about supervision in restricted areas Sweikerts order! Kindred Hospital Central in Indianapolis out speed in mind modern cars, about supervision restricted! His head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be killed by cars or their parts. Those days on making improvements as soon as Uncle Pete was done, '' he remembers moves the. And Amanda Dutton 's funeral condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved.. Amp ; Sports Venue in Salem, and I was absolutely devastated, recalled! Digital access, after tragedies, raise fence heights or beef up security and car inspections came! 'S testimony, the viewing party was moved to the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race on... An infant 's owner seems to disagree and off the track as as! Their police dog, trotted beside them he won 16 of the most unique and renowned racetracks America. Were credited with World championship points and participation of a loved one Roman Catholic diocese and family! Doesnt blame anyone for Sweikerts death just locked up and came off, he. A dozen years later, Sweikert & # x27 ; s fatal sprint circuit... Face every time your wife walks through the door Indianapolis Speedrome on May 1 1981!, early the next several years had moved to the Indianapolis racetrack guardrail and destroyed a section protective...

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