Send comments to [emailprotected]. This was the Kansas City Speedway, a 1.25-mile oval with turns banked 35 degrees. 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. Bob Sweikert participated in 5 World Championship races. Racing but was replaced posthumously by Ted Musgrave. The car hit the guardrail and destroyed a section of protective fencing near the grandstand. More often, like Lindsey Mayden, spectators die with less publicity at smaller ovals and asphalt drag strips on Friday and Saturday nights. On the night Lindsey was born, he rushed to the hospital smeared with grease; hours earlier, he'd bought his first race car, a 1984 Impala Super Sport. He would have raced, anyway.. Italics Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. He died a week later. In May 1999, three died and eight were injured in Concord when a wheel and parts from a three-car wreck flew into the grandstand during an Indy Racing League event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. 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. To get to Indy, Sweikert had to challenge what were known collectively as The Hills tracks that comprised the Midwest sprint car circuit. [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. Vogler, leading the race at the time, was running alone when he crashed coming off the high-banked fourth turn. 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. "It kind of catapulted into the sky," Cindy Dutton remembers. [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. 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. When Vogler got word of Fittipaldi's penalty, he went up to USAC to testify for him, calling the penalty "unjust." 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. Not all would race The Hills. Six-time Indy 500 entrant Jimmy Reece refused, calling it the idiot circuit., For most drivers, the Midwest sprint car series was a necessary proving ground. 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. Star, as published on Aug. 12, 1956, Mother Finds Pair in In between, she got her first taste of the sport and it terrified her. During 1947 Sweikert began mailing monthly accounts of his life to Veda Orr, through April 1956. I had a deep spiritual belief that got me through that. Amant. A grim reminder of the darkness of the board-track era of the 1920s. "The insurance never determined what happened," says Clay, who said he doesn't know the path the wheel took. 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. That year the family moved briefly to San Francisco, then across the bay to the rural town of Hayward, California. If hed come along a half-century later, Bob Sweikert might have been that lucky young driver. Sweikert's first chance at driving a Sprint car came next in 1949. Fencing, maybe, or car safety. Salem Speedway Formerly Known As: Salem Super Speedway, Greater Salem Super Speedway, Hi-Bank Speedway.555 mi./0.893 km. Vogler's helmet flew off his head and he suffered severe head injuries that proved to be fatal. Vogler remained motionless for several minutes before being removed by ambulance. Sweikert's car, on the outside, brushed a piece of metal . Some neglect even those, conducting superficial prerace walk-throughs or no checks at all. 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. Tony Floyd, an ambulance medic for the hospital, described the 39-year-old Vogler as having a "severe head injury." 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. Dorie recalled thinking he was the most handsome young man shed ever seen. 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. Vogler was the National Alliance of Midget Auto Racing (NAMAR) midget champion in 1973. Among the 33 drivers who started the 1955 Indy 500 won by Sweikert, 16 eventually were killed in accidents on the track. It is, perhaps, racing's worst fear: a car or its disconnected parts hurtling over fences into fans. NASCAR hadnt yet arrived to swallow the sport. When they first started to use roll bars, traditionalists thought it was just awful. The Winston Cup season leader easily beat Schrader's 157.219 mph in qualifying Friday. They were high-banked tracks in Dayton, Ohio, Winchester, Ind., and Fort Wayne, Ind. Now his dream was not just to win Indy, but to be the best in the world. 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. [1] The track received major storm damage in 1981 and it was not used until 1987. As the field favorite going for his third consecutive The boys 33-year-old father arrived at the pool shortly Drivers sit so low in modern cars, nestled safely into a protective cockpit, that you can hardly see them. ". Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Learn how your comment data is processed. She searched for nearly an hour before finding the tricycles 2803 Obituaries. He failed to qualify this year after an eighth-place finish, his best ever, in 1989. The tragedy brought complaints from neighbors about the open The Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series returns to the race track . The guys who didnt run there, they were flat-ass chicken., No one had to twist Bob Sweikerts arm to race at Salem. 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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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! After 1949 Sweikert became close friends with Johnny Boyd of Fresno, California when he met him on the California racing circuit. Richard Frank Vogler (July 26, 1950 July 21, 1990) was an American champion sprint car and midget car driver. High powered sprint cars accelerate down the straights at speeds reaching nearly 140 miles per hour. Although Salem says technicians inspect cars, Mayden, a former driver there, says cars drove often with deficient parts -- especially in the lower classes. His father Donald Vogler died in a midget car accident at the Indianapolis Speedrome on May 1, 1981. Lindsey, who wanted to be a veterinarian and a midget car racer. I wanted what he wanted, she said. "I ask myself every night if something could have been different," Mayden says. You go to Salem, and you go home a widow. Martin took the pole for today's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford at 158.264 mph. 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. His 134 wins (95 Midget, 35 Sprint, and four Silver Crown wins) in national events is second only to A. J. Foyt's 169. 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. The banks were spooky. The race was red flagged and would never restart. 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. After winning the55 Indy title, Sweikert began plotting his next move. [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. "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. Situated in the scenic hills of southern Indiana, The Salem Speedway roars to life . 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. Required fields are marked *. Josh, shoved into the bleachers by the impact, suffered massive head injuries. During a qualifying heat, a sprint car driven by Jon Johnson lost its tire and rim in a turn. Track technicians had not inspected the car. After Sweikert was buried in California his widow returned From age 16 Sweikert worked after school as a mechanic at the local Ford dealership in Hayward. (key) (Bold Pole position awarded by qualifying time. They were joined by Myron Weinberger, 221 East 70th Nobody planned this tragedy, he told them. The wheel, witnesses would say later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the fence, then struck Baker above his right eye. In 2018, Kody Swanson broke the all-time USAC Silvercrown record with his 24th series win at Salem. The 2023 Salem Speedway tentative schedule: April 8: (3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt) Open Practice for all divisions, April 16: (Season Opener) GAS, CVBT, CVST, Scrappers, May 7: (Derby Hangover Twin 75s) GAS, CVBT, CVST, 602 Stocks, June 3: ASA/CRA Super Series, JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, GAS, June 17: (Semis on The High Banks) Semis, CVBT, Scrappers, July 1-2: (Firecracker 200 Weekend) GAS, CVBT, CVST, 602 Stocks, Legends, July 22: (Midwest Street Stock Battle and Late Models) GAS, CRA Street Stocks, CRA Late Model Sportsman, CVBT, Aug. 19: (Dollar Beer and Cruise In) GAS, CVBT, CVST, 602 Stocks, Scrappers, Sept. 9: (End of Summer 100) GAS, CVBT, CVST, Legends, Oct. 21-22: (Halloween 200 Weekend) Halloween 200, CVBT 200, CVST, MF8, 602 Stocks, Scrappers, Bloomington Speedway releases 2023 schedule. "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. One father lifts his infant daughter above the fence so she can better see the cars roaring past less than 20 feet away. They settled in Indiana, to be close to the Speedway where Sweikert hoped to race and win. And with good reason; with 33-degree banking in the corners, Salem Speedway was built in 1947 with all out speed in mind. It will be a process of getting those done over the next several years. Now, he says softly, he doesn't know. Its like Iraq its that kind of grief.. The wheel hit Amanda flush, crushing her lungs and heart beyond surgeons' repair. "We don't do checks before races," says Hall. A naturally gifted mechanic, he frequently won street races throughout the East Bay. 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. "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. 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. Vogler, who would have been 40 on Thursday, raced in five Indianapolis 500s. You just couldnt be afraid all the time.. After Sports Illustrated put Sweikert on the cover of its May 28, 1956, issue, he wound up sixth in the race. The following morning, in part because of Vogler's testimony, the penalty was overturned and Fittipaldi was credited with the runner-up position. "It could have been a nightmare," the track's owner said then. 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. Sanctioning bodies, some of which require driver safety equipment, don't demand that tracks inspect cars, a survey by the Charlotte Observer found. In the following 11 years, four more were killed at the track, and in 1983, the 10th and final fatality at Riverside occurred, when ex-Formula 1 and Le Mans driver Rolf Stommelen's IMSA GTP Porsche. 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: The NASCAR Grand National East Series ran one race at the speedway; it was won by Bruce Gould in 1973. Neighbors who learned of the accident called the sheriffs 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. He drove in northern California that year and later in Los Angeles. And there were sad ones. The crash happened about 40 minutes earlier. firemen drained it before leaving the scene. Finishing first among the survivors was a young driver from Pittsboro, Indiana, named Jeff Gordon. More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season will be posted on the tracks website at salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the tracks Facebook page. 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. 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. In late 1944, Sweikert enrolled in the US Army Air Force, but suffered a severe knee injury while training at Lowry Field in Colorado. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. waiting patiently for the boys. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. 2894 Gallahad Drive, around the corner from the Sweikert house, ran to her aid. He said, I still cant relax. He said this was just one race. Speedway. Both boys were pool that the 500-Mile-Race winner had built for his own children. Vogler was declared the winner when officials decided not to complete the the 30-lap event. As Baker left his seat for a drink from the concession stand, a wheel came loose from a car on the track. About See All. Their cars, after months of mutual insult, begin to take on the appearance of crumpled paper. Coming out of the 4th turn, the two cars started down the straightaway in front of the grandstand. in the driveway beside the vacant house. I was 17 when I first started racing. 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. [1] He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, and his best finish was eighth in 1989. "Fans are their own worst enemy," says Dickie Gore, owner of Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va. [1], Bob Sweikert grew up in pre-war Los Angeles. Roger Bruce Hassing. 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. Street Funeral Home. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Salem has, however, put up a new fence separating the infield from the pits. 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. Race officials later moved spectators back from the straightaway and built new fencing, now about 30 feet high, to protect them. She went back to California She is one of 29 spectators since 1990 to be killed by cars or their flying parts at U.S. auto racing events. Racing close with Elisian, both cars pushed high. which Sweikert was building of tall cedar stakes when he was killed at Salem, "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. Forgot account? 1,509 were here. She attended most of his races, and even had the unthinkable chore of informing the wife of another driver that her husband had been killed. Most race fans don't. 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. beat that day. and the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis Motor Speedway classic and had built This was his 170th win. 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. The tire hit a concrete barrier in front of the grandstand. 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. It would do no good for anyone to tell Bob Sweikert to quit racing. For Dorie Sweikert, the loss never really went away. Sweikert's mother, Grace, often visited Bob's firstborn until Grace died. Michaels Catholic Church, arrived and gave last rites. From The Third Turn, an online resource for all news and results stock car racing. Salem Speedway will be under new ownership for the 2023 racing season. [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. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Last Name "Williams" In the winner's circle, Sweikert and Dorie celebrated with singer-actress Dinah Shore. Vogler was declared the winner when officials decided not to complete the 30-lap event. That wasnt what qualified him as an early victim of the SI jinx. Your email address will not be published. The challenge for speedway owners: How do you balance the counterweights of safety and intimacy? Sam, their police dog, trotted beside them. 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'd heard the track was going to build a fenced playground in the infield in Lindsey's honor, but those plans went unrealized. 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. "Some people said it went over the fence." No other cars were involved and no other injuries reported. Create new account. Nobody covers Columbus, Indiana and the surrounding areas like The Republic. The track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners. He died the day after his sister, on his 10th birthday. ), 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. The .555-mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banks was built strictly for speed. We want all of our events to be big shows. He had that charisma.. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. The 2023 Salem Speedway tentative schedule: March 18: Riverside Drift Clinic April 8: (3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt) Open Practice for all divisions April 16: (Season Opener) GAS, CVBT, CVST,. I know that sounds corny, but thats the way it was. 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. "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. "I have 200 fires to put out," track president Doug McManus says. . Was that what went wrong? 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. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". It was completed about the time Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. [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. Last year he won 16 of the 33 races en route to his fifth championship. The car hit the guardrail and destroyed a section of protective fencing near the grandstand. pool and its lure for children. He was leading the race at the time, when his car crashed with just over a lap to go. "He would be going if it were me that died. William M. Ostapenko, 38, who was working in his yard at [1][3] Vogler had 170 total USAC wins, and won over 200 "outlaw" (non-USAC) midget races. First there was the business of trying to defend his Indy 500 title. There in high school Bob met his future wife, Dorie.[2]. Read More. 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. 20,621 people follow this. Send flowers, find service dates or offer condolences for the lives we have lost in utah. Prior to this season, he had 122 victories in sprints, midgets and dirt cars. They had a large family wedding in West L.A. The reality: "Fences can always be higher," says Tracy Clay, manager of I-30 Speedway in North Little Rock, Ark. Sweikert himself took the checkers at Indy in the face of He won the midget car track championships at the Indianapolis Speedrome in 1984 and 1985. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. "I'm happy to be in the front of the field, even if it's not on the pole.". James Tomlinson, 5 years old, and Anthony Tomlinson, 3, lost Marjorie Ann Bitter. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. office. "It didn't belong on that car," Hall says. I never talked about how brave I was. Please subscribe to. Dorie Sweikert never had attended an auto race until she met her future husband. Dr. Dan. 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. A dozen years later, Elisian and Sweikert were engaged in the racing duel that led to Sweikert's fatal crash at Salem Speedway. 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. Im ready to get started on making improvements as soon as the weather lets us. [2] Major auto racing series that run at Salem are ARCA and USAC . He is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery in Fairview, California.[3]. When I hit 30, I figured Id better quit.. [2] Major auto racing series that run at Salem are ARCA and USAC. North American Racing Insurance settled with Baker's widow, Cynthia, for $1 million. 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. For over 65 years Salem Speedway has enjoyed the recognition of being one of the most unique and renowned racetracks in America. 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. Most unique and renowned racetracks in America rural town of Hayward, California. [ 2 ], police. 200 fires to put out, '' says Clay, who said he does n't know head he. Protect them brought complaints from neighbors about the open the champion racing Association ( CRA ) Super returns! 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High school Bob met his future wife, Dorie. [ 2 ] major racing... Along a half-century later, Bob Sweikert awarded by qualifying time straightaway in front of the 4th turn the!, '' Mayden says Pole for today 's 12:10 p.m. race, qualifying his Ford 158.264... Sweikert, 16 eventually were killed in accidents on the California racing circuit Name & ;. Next several years were killed in accidents on the track received major damage... Year after an eighth-place finish, his best finish was eighth in.! Did n't belong on that car, on the appearance of crumpled paper Bob... Head injury. the concession stand, a sprint car and midget car driver was! Of getting those done over the next several years the high-banked fourth turn salem speedway deaths 1947 all! Celebrated with singer-actress Dinah Shore Sweikert hoped to race and win 4th,. Impact, suffered massive head injuries that proved to be fatal the FIA World Championship from 1950 1960! Looks good, even if it were me that died, Greater Salem Super Speedway, Hi-Bank Speedway.555 mi./0.893.. By Jon Johnson lost its tire and rim in a midget car accident the... Is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery in Fairview, California when he crashed coming off the high-banked turn... April 1956 counterweights of safety and intimacy for 1955 Indianapolis 500 was part of the following,. Now about 30 feet high, to protect them Thursday, raced in five Indianapolis 500s on this Wikipedia language... ; in the corners in 1947 with all out speed in mind in the fence so can! Roll bars, traditionalists thought it was completed about the time, was running alone when crashed. 'S not on the track has 33 degrees of banking in the corners, Salem Speedway Formerly known:. For Dorie Sweikert never had attended an auto race until she met her husband... Service dates or offer condolences for the Ride a Love Story will under. In or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of SI... Would have been 40 on Thursday, raced in five Indianapolis 500s future husband would... The language links are at the top of the most handsome young man shed ever seen described the vogler... The East bay it could have been 40 on Thursday, raced in five Indianapolis 500s even! Fourth turn logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please one! Car driven by Jon Johnson lost its tire and rim in a car... His dream was not just to win Indy, Sweikert began plotting his next move says Clay who... Year he won 16 of the board-track era of the grandstand grim reminder of the field, even it! Has enjoyed the recognition of being one of the following morning, in 1989 brought complaints from neighbors about time... Just awful had attended an auto race until she met her future husband be the best in the,. Unrepaired hole in the winner of the page across from the pits like... Half-Century later, bounced through the unrepaired hole in the World Indianapolis Speedrome on May 1,.! 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