at the bottom of the water. Drivers wore helmets basically made of reinforced cardboard and T-shirts soaked in Borax. The sprint car flew over the edge of the track, down the embankment, and landed a hundred feet below, where it briefly burst into flames. ". a ride on their tricycles late in the afternoon. pool and its lure for children. Was that what went wrong? Send comments to [emailprotected]. In Charlotte, speedway officials made no changes in the 10 months after the Michigan wreck, then raised their fences from 15 to 21 feet after their own open-wheel racing accident. There were no space-age helmets and flame-proof racing suits. 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. 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. "My stamina's not what it should be. Create new account. Such is what Jeff Mayden believed before his daughter was killed. On the morning of his June 17 race at Salem, Dorie Sweikert recalled her husband complaining his car wasnt handling quite right. His 134 wins (95 Midget, 35 Sprint, and four Silver Crown wins) in national events is second only to A. J. Foyt's 169. "It could have been a nightmare," the track's owner said then. 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. If hed come along a half-century later, Bob Sweikert might have been that lucky young driver. Stadium, Arena & Sports Venue in Salem, Indiana. Sweikert fought for custody of their young daughter. She married again six years ago, but in 1998 published Along for the Ride A Love Story. The book is a personal, poignant and sometimes painful look back on her time with Bob Sweikert. 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. 1,476 check-ins. and the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis Motor Speedway classic and had built For over 65 years Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery has enjoyed the recognition of being one of the most unique and renowned race tracks in America. Dorie Sweikert recalls being able to see her husband smile as his car sprinted past, his head and shoulders exposed to potential peril. "It kind of catapulted into the sky," Cindy Dutton remembers. 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. James Tomlinson, 5 years old, and Anthony Tomlinson, 3, lost Forgot account? In the 1950s, talent won races, but luck decided who lived and died on the track. He was about to take the white flag for the final lap at the alf-mile oval in a race televised nationally by ESPN. January 22, 2023 (76 years old) View obituary. The .555-mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banks was built strictly for speed. Sam, their police dog, trotted beside them. He was only 28 years old, however he was one of California's brightest stars in the open wheel profession. Salem Speedway. After Sports Illustrated put Sweikert on the cover of its May 28, 1956, issue, he wound up sixth in the race. "A good Sunday was when every driver cheated death and went home alive." The Salem Speedway joined "The Hills" circuit in 1947, and immediately demonstrated its potential for disaster. It was a very scary thing the sound was so frightening, said Dorie Sweikert, now 79 and living in Redding. another. priest, took them word that the boys were dead. "He would be going if it were me that died. Vogler, who would have been 40 on Thursday, raced in five Indianapolis 500s. 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. 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. I dont know how you could be the wife of a race car driver in those days. {{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. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? Weeks later, Sweikert's fatal sprint car crash occurred on June 17, 1956, at Salem Speedway. Bob Sweikerts death in an auto race last June was reflected Racing close with Elisian, both cars pushed high. She searched for nearly an hour before finding the tricycles Required fields are marked *. It would do no good for anyone to tell Bob Sweikert to quit racing. 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. Other tracks have taken a similarly reactive approach to tragedy. Last Name "Williams" Race officials later moved spectators back from the straightaway and built new fencing, now about 30 feet high, to protect them. Sam was sitting on the driveway, She never saw danger coming. He won 1 race and accumulated a total of 8 championship points. Michigan Speedway raised its fences from 14 1/2 to 17 feet after its 1998 CART crash. He was only 30, leaving behind his wife Dolores and four children. The boys, only sons of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Tomlinson, had Richard Kavanagh, pastor of St. Nobody planned this tragedy, he told them. 1,509 were here. Vogler, leading the race at the time, was running alone when he crashed coming off the high-banked fourth turn. 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. "Fans are their own worst enemy," says Dickie Gore, owner of Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va. 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. Published In. Prior to this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. [1] Thompson leased the track to Bill Kniesly starting in 2020. Im really excited about acquiring Salem Speedway and looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track, Bohanon said. 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. This was his 170th win. He gained his first racing sponsorship in July 1947, when he became a track roadster race driver for Hubbard Auto Parts of Oakland. A lot of people today have no idea who he is, never heard of him, Davidson said. Dr. Dan. 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. For Dorie Sweikert, the loss never really went away. Waltrip, preparing to make his 500th NASCAR start in that July 7 race, sustained a slight concussion and broke his left leg the day before in a crash in practice and couldn't start. Foremen worked for an hour and a half before Deputy Coroner "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. Bohanon, a Southern Indiana. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". 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. 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. The car hit the guardrail and destroyed a section of protective fencing near the grandstand. Salem has, however, put up a new fence separating the infield from the pits. 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. You hear the story about how someone can walk into a room and everyone turns and looks that was Sweikert, she said. 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. That was your job. "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. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. 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. That wasnt what qualified him as an early victim of the SI jinx. How do you deal with seeing your child's face every time your wife walks through the door? Ostapenko and Karsch removed the boys from the water. 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. Neighbors who learned of the accident called the sheriffs There was always the darkness the thing about Vukie.. That was Bobs favorite of the half-mile tracks, Dorie Sweikert said. With the deaths have come questions -- about track fencing, about uninspected cars, about supervision in restricted areas. Coming out of the 4th turn, the two cars started down the straightaway in front of the grandstand. View local obituaries in utah. 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! Learn More Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Born March 10, 1957. They were high-banked tracks in Dayton, Ohio, Winchester, Ind., and Fort Wayne, Ind. 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. When I hit 30, I figured Id better quit.. Still nursing the leg injury, Waltrip plans to make his milestone start today in the NASCAR AC Spark Plug 500 at Pocono International Raceway. 4.3 out of 5 stars. One day I just said, OK, and I wrote it., Dorie doesnt blame anyone for Sweikerts death. The event at one of the iconic short tracks in the county is being . Tony Floyd, an ambulance medic for the hospital, described the 39-year-old Vogler as having a "severe head injury." The series has visited Salem more than any other track in its almost 70-year history. A naturally gifted mechanic, he frequently won street races throughout the East Bay. "I always thought she was probably in more danger driving to the racetrack than being in the infield," he says.