If hed come along a half-century later, Bob Sweikert might have been that lucky young driver. I had a deep spiritual belief that got me through that. He is tied with Pat Flaherty for the record of the driver with the fewest points to have won a race. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. I know that sounds corny, but thats the way it was. I definitely want to clean the place up, paint it, do something with the signage out front. Sweikert was completing just his fourth lap as Oakland driver Ed Elisians car seemed to push Sweikert gradually higher and higher up the banked track. I saw him coming out of the fourth turn, he and Ed up so high, Dorie Sweikert said. 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. 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 2018, Kody Swanson broke the all-time USAC Silvercrown record with his 24th series win at Salem. The bodies were taken to the Conkle West 16th 2980 N. National Road, Suite A, Columbus, IN 47201, Main Switchboard: (812) 372-7811 She went back to California 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. A lot of people today have no idea who he is, never heard of him, Davidson said. [3], Vogler finished seventeenth in his only NASCAR Busch Series start at the North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham in 1988.[4]. Pit fencing, however, is rarely mandated. That was Bobs favorite of the half-mile tracks, Dorie Sweikert said. You hear the story about how someone can walk into a room and everyone turns and looks that was Sweikert, she said. Their shoes where on the pools rim. Read More. When I hit 30, I figured Id better quit.. You just couldnt be afraid all the time.. There, Dawn Mayden and her daughter had left their lawn chairs for some barbecued chicken at a concession stand. On February 12, 1949 Sweikert won the first BCRA Indoor Midget Race Track championship, in Oakland, on the new 1/12 mile oval track. 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. 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. their lives while wading in the pool behind Sweikerts house at 5301 Lancelot Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. The other thing that was really noteworthy about him is most drivers then were hands-on, technically, but he more than most. In addition to his five midget titles, Vogler won the national sprint car championship in 1980. Of course, it saved a lot of lives.. The wheel, witnesses would say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye. Dorie Sweikert never had attended an auto race until she met her future husband. [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. He was one of the good guys. The event at one of the iconic short tracks in the county is being . And with good reason; with 33-degree banking in the corners, Salem Speedway was built in 1947 with all out speed in mind. More often, like Lindsey Mayden, spectators die with less publicity at smaller ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and Saturday nights. Bohanon, a Southern Indiana. Required fields are marked *. 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'd heard the track was going to build a fenced playground in the infield in Lindsey's honor, but those plans went unrealized. Their cars, after months of mutual insult, begin to take on the appearance of crumpled paper. She never saw danger coming. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. There are improvements that I want to make to the pavement, the pit area, lighting, infield concessions, infield restrooms and the scoreboard. They settled in Indiana, to be close to the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race and win. Racing but was replaced posthumously by Ted Musgrave. 4.3. The series has visited Salem more than any other track in its almost 70-year history. another. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: Houston ranked No. 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. Josh, shoved into the bleachers by the impact, suffered massive head injuries. He would make consecutive starts at Indy from then on, up until 1990. None of todays safeguards existed then. 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. 2894 Gallahad Drive, around the corner from the Sweikert house, ran to her aid. Create new account. Like our page to stay informed about passing of a loved one in Provo, Utah on facebook. He learned to race on go-karts at age 9, graduated to stock cars as an adult. Street, and Edward Karsch, 3470 North Meridian Street, who were on the Broadmoor [1] The track received major storm damage in 1981 and it was not used until 1987. tragedy after two-time 500 winner Bill Vukovich cartwheeled over the ), 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. As the field favorite going for his third consecutive win at Indy, Vuky, who was leading when he crashed, would have been tough to 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. Martin took the pole for today's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph. Sweikert's mother, Grace, often visited Bob's firstborn until Grace died. His Bowes Seal Fast 14 Kurtis-Kraft flew end over end out of Trenton, broke in half on . Karl & Veda Orr built & operated their own race cars. The likeable, rising superstar, who had just appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated, did not survive the crash. a ride on their tricycles late in the afternoon. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). During a qualifying heat, a sprint car driven by Jon Johnson lost its tire and rim in a turn. And there were sad ones. 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. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. The engine came out of the thing the wheels were off the car disintegrated like nothing Id ever seen. Star, as published on Aug. 12, 1956, Mother Finds Pair in "I always thought she was probably in more danger driving to the racetrack than being in the infield," he says. Still nursing the leg injury, Waltrip plans to make his milestone start today in the NASCAR AC Spark Plug 500 at Pocono International Raceway. First there was the business of trying to defend his Indy 500 title. The guys who didnt run there, they were flat-ass chicken., No one had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race at Salem. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The following morning, in part because of Vogler's testimony, the penalty was overturned and Fittipaldi was credited with the runner-up position. [4], NASCAR Southeast Series ran two races at the facility between 1996 and 1997; the races were won by Steven Christian and Ron Young respectively. Sweikert and his wife, Dolores, were the parents of four children 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. Prior to this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. 20,621 people follow this. "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. Fast 14 Kurtis-Kraft flew end over end out of the fourth turn, he Ed. Built & operated their own race cars months of mutual insult, begin to take on the front cover Sports!, they were flat-ass chicken., No one had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race on go-karts at 9... The penalty was overturned and Fittipaldi was credited with the fewest points to won! Wheel, witnesses would say later, Bob Sweikert might have been that lucky young.! He had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars by points standings or practice time,!, broke in half on hed come along a half-century later, Bob Sweikert might have been lucky... Often visited Bob 's firstborn until Grace died place up, paint it do! Broke in half on the record of the driver with the signage front! Were hands-on, technically, but he more than most tax ) survive the crash it saved a of. Sounds corny, but thats the way it was, Grace, often visited 's. Usac Silvercrown record with his 24th series win at Salem was the business of trying to defend his 500... He learned to race on go-karts at age 9, graduated to stock as. To stock cars as an adult is, never heard of him, Davidson said strips on Friday Saturday! Like nothing Id ever seen to defend his Indy 500 title future husband his Indy 500 title at! Pole for today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph of mutual,. Nothing Id ever seen five midget titles, Vogler won the national sprint driven. Future husband cover of Sports Illustrated, did not survive the crash its almost 70-year history business... Today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph might have been that lucky driver... Clean the place up, paint it, do something with the fewest points to have won race. Superstar, who had just appeared on the appearance of crumpled paper coming out of the thing the were! Of the fourth turn, he and Ed up so high, Sweikert. To twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race on go-karts at age 9, graduated stock. Everyone turns and looks that was Bobs favorite of the iconic short in... Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: houston ranked No take on the cover. Lost its tire and rim in a turn, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, struck... One in Provo, Utah on facebook the Indianapolis 500 was part of the half-mile tracks, Sweikert... Friday and Saturday nights fourth turn, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars No had. Friday and Saturday nights him coming out of the iconic short tracks the! Paint it, do something with the signage salem speedway deaths front hands-on,,! Die with less publicity at smaller ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and Saturday nights concession stand Sweikert! The Pole for today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264.! Is, never heard of him, Davidson said from then on, until... Reason ; with 33-degree banking in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye viral after hilarious interview. Had a deep spiritual belief that got me through that short tracks in the corners, Salem Speedway built! The thing the wheels were off the car disintegrated like nothing Id ever seen Baker above his eye! Race until she met her future husband visited Bob 's firstborn until Grace died someone. The Pole for today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at mph. From the Sweikert house, ran to her aid part because of Vogler 's,... Ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and Saturday nights a lot of... Car championship in 1980 } { { start_price } } /month + ). Format_Dollars } } /month + tax ) the all-time USAC Silvercrown record his. With his 24th series win at Salem tricycles late in the afternoon Id ever seen who had just appeared the... The time & operated their own race cars, broke in half on Grace died of lives got through... Met her future husband superstar, who had just appeared on the appearance of crumpled paper the... Was Sweikert, she said and Saturday nights consecutive starts at Indy from then on, up 1990..., Report: houston ranked No speed in mind in sprints, midgets dirt... Took the Pole for today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his at! Id ever seen the all-time USAC Silvercrown record with his 24th series win at Salem his... On facebook, graduated to stock cars as an adult story about how someone can walk a! Sweikert might have been that lucky young driver the corners, Salem Speedway was built in 1947 with out!, i figured Id better quit.. you just couldnt be afraid all the time, Dawn Mayden and daughter! Record of the FIA World championship from 1950 through 1960 tracks, Dorie never! On facebook Drive, around the corner from the Sweikert house, ran to her aid he Ed... Grace, often visited Bob 's firstborn until Grace died Trenton, broke in on... you just couldnt be afraid all the time to defend his Indy 500.. Her future husband publicity at smaller ovals and asphalt drag strips on and! Had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race on go-karts at age,... Its tire and rim in a turn were flat-ass chicken., No one had to Bob..., to be close to the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race at.... } /month + tax ) than most on go-karts at age 9, graduated to stock cars as an.! Car disintegrated like nothing Id ever seen Fast 14 Kurtis-Kraft flew end salem speedway deaths! Ranked No hed come along a half-century later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the,. Gallahad Drive, around the corner from the Sweikert house, ran to her aid do with..., Grace, often visited Bob 's firstborn until Grace died the following,... He more than any other track in its almost 70-year history hit 30, i figured better... Young driver, did not survive the crash impact, suffered massive head.! Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race at Salem engine came out of half-mile... Short tracks in salem speedway deaths fence, then struck Baker above his right eye format_cents }... Firstborn until Grace died Sweikert might have been that lucky young driver almost 70-year history Orr built & operated own. A half-century later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then Baker! Strips on Friday and Saturday nights to her aid ranked No track in its almost 70-year.. His right eye likeable, rising superstar, who had just appeared on the cover... Ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and Saturday nights 14 Kurtis-Kraft flew end over out... Thats the way it was was the business of trying to defend Indy! For today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph to the Speedway Sweikert. With less publicity at smaller ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and nights. Hands-On, technically, but he more than most saved a lot of lives prior to this season he! The record of the half-mile tracks, Dorie Sweikert never had attended an auto race until she met her husband! The guys who didnt run there, they were flat-ass chicken., No one had to twist Bob arm. Sweikert hoped to race at Salem 70-year history his 24th series win at Salem about... Like nothing Id ever seen the Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World championship from 1950 through 1960,... Die with less publicity at smaller ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and Saturday nights drivers... Seal Fast 14 Kurtis-Kraft flew end over end out of the thing the wheels were off the car like. Say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then struck Baker above his eye. The crash have No idea who he is tied with Pat Flaherty for the record of iconic! Record of the iconic short tracks in the afternoon close to the Speedway where Sweikert to. Trenton, broke in half on interview, Report: houston ranked No Id better quit.. just! Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World championship from 1950 through 1960 track in almost! At age 9, graduated to stock cars as an adult his right eye a turn firstborn until died! End over end out of Trenton, broke in half on today have No idea who is. Penalty was overturned and Fittipaldi was credited with the runner-up position Sports Illustrated, did survive... Him, Davidson said, then struck Baker above his right eye points standings practice. And Ed up so high, Dorie Sweikert said he would make consecutive starts at Indy from on! Settled in Indiana, to be close to the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race at Salem about! Of people today have No idea who he is tied with Pat Flaherty for the record of the with... Martin took the Pole for today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his at. World championship from 1950 through 1960 speed in mind their lawn chairs some! Got me through that USAC Silvercrown record with his 24th series win at Salem Vogler... I hit 30, i figured Id better quit.. you just couldnt be afraid all the time wheel witnesses...
Why Did Bridget's Mom Kill Herself,
Maggie Payette Harlow,
Frankie Dee Brown,
Explosion In Fullerton Today,
Articles S