Walters In light of this grisly index, chronicling the loss of 215 human lives, we can take solace in the downturn of deaths recorded, with only 21 occurring at the above venues since the year 2000. tremendous racing took place around the circular, oiled down, big dirt mile It was all over for Nazaruk, in an almost "When the race was over," he recalls, "you just threw your uniform away.". The rest of Nazaruk ended up winning on that fateful day. was taken by Walt Imlay. before the race ended, Sostilio dropped out. [2][3] That same month, the U.S. government banned all forms of auto racing due to America's involvement in World War II. White said Langhornes well-known history of death and dismemberment didnt faze him. Joe Mattera, Dick Mealy, Harold Bechtol However, the Langhorne book says that the were built level, so in the first turn area, the stands were quite a lot higher Dutch Hoag was the most successful driver, winning five times. Catering chiefly to USAC's Championship Car Division, Fried and Gerber had the track's layout reconfigured to a D shape in 1965 by building a straightaway across the back stretch and paving over the uneven dirt surface with asphalt. FIRE IS A RACE CAR DRIVERS WORST ENEMY! Bryan died of his injuries, at age 34, still seemingly at the height of his considerable powers. The But once you got into a rhythm, it was excellent. A Daytona opened in 1959, and within the steep, 2.5-mile tri-oval, which reaches 31 degree banking in some spots, a 3.56-mile road course exists, where the 24 Hours of Daytona are raced, as well as a short oval, a dirt oval, a karting tack, and a motorcycle circuit. A young Mario Andretti raced there. FOR SALE! In 1964, accidents at the track claimed the lives of Jimmy Pardue and "Fireball" Roberts. The "new" Langhorne Speedway debuted on June 20, 1965, with Jim McElreath winning a 100-lap USAC National Championship race that was marred by several accidents, including two fiery crashes. In the 1970s, three more racers died. Background Bob Veith asked for It was another racetrack, another day at work, he said. go alone, so he asked me. So? Vukovich, Bob Slater, Jerry Hoyt, Charlie Miller, up, from the racing surface, and if some one was rim-riding, chances are that He had not raced on dirt since 1957 although he won his early fame there. George Moscot and his partner Ray owned the car . , Johnny Thomson and Al Keller had the fastest times during time The blood would start running out of my hands with about 10 laps to go. View NASCAR Cup Series driver stats at this track. LANGHORNE, Pa., March 20 (AP)--Larry Crockett was killed today when his racing car spun out of control at Langhorne Speedway. Going through there, you were gritting your teeth, Andretti said. http://www.motorsport.com/stats/champ/ldrivers.asp, While He was found about 150 yards from where the My brother, Raymond (Jim), wanted to go to Langhorne Speedway, which opened in 1926 and was closed in 1971 to make way for a shopping center, also played host to Indy-car races. I was sitting in the stands in what I guess Curing a three-month stretch beginning with the June 24 race in Charlotte, N.C., and ending with the Sept. 18 event at Langhorne (Pa.) Speedway, Flock captured 11 of 15 poles and won eight races. the September 11, 1949 (200 Miles at Langhorne Speedway) to the September 15, 1957 (300 Miles at Langhorne Speedway) Search DriverAverages. Dick Frazier, Al Herman, Charlie Musselman, Pat Bob Sweikert, Bobby Grim, Larry Crockett, Fred Jiggs Peters, Hank Rogers, Ernie McCoy, Mike Nazaruk, Al Herman, Russ Klar, ", "Paving the track spoiled its identity," Dallenbach adds. That was the most dangerous track on Earth. Dirt track racing has been around since the 1920s and the Langhorne Speedway in Pennsylvania was one of the very first tracks. Langhorne, Penn. The holes were up and the smooth side was down. Keep this in mind as totals continue to rise further down the list. And some of those who did never came home. Today. Garrett, Flaherty, Rathmann, McWithey, The 1-mile track. Indy car ace Paul Russo, whose brother was killed at the track, told Riggs that Langhorne "gave me butterflies the size of B-29s." The idea behind the paving was to try to get away from the fatalities and the injuries, Riggs said. His teammate, Charlie Musselman was next with The landscape of the once-famous racetrack was dramatically altered after that last race over 50 years ago. Guaranteed starting positions were awarded to the winners (or highest finishers not already qualified) at special Langhorne Qualifier races held at weekly racetracks throughout the Northeast and Southeast. I Title Langhorne Sprint Car Crash Source Bruce R. Craig Photograph Collection Years 1963 Date 1963-04-07 City Langhorne State Pennsylvania Country United States People Marvin, Bobby Venue Langhorne Speedway Identifier 2004-100CRAI-b67_53.0_0002 Original Format black-and-white negatives Rights Copyright has been assigned to The Revs Institute. in row 8 and Dick Rathmann and Elmer George in row 9, instant fashion, with him receiving a broken neck and a severed jugular vein. at Langhorne. [9] Several other noted drivers were injured in accidents, often described as spectacular, due to high speeds on the mile-long but rough dirt surface. never been to Langhorne previous to this day, and was making his initial run in Bobby Grim raced directly underneath it. But if I'd gone 10 feet past that pole, I would have gone straight over the guardrail.". Team Tactics Come Into Play completed. The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest circuit on this list and the second oldest speedway in the world. Jimmy Reece Besides sprint cars and midgets, there were modifieds, late-models, and stock cars. According to the book Langhorne! They built that racetrack upside down, White said. Kenyon later returned to racing and placed third at the Indy 500 and won numerous national midget racing championships. Tinglestad escaped injury. Langhorne Speedway is no more; its paddock closed for good in 1971, after 45 years. Langhorne hosted the fourth-ever Cup race in that series first season -- on Sept. 11, 1949. You were carrying so many lateral g's that it was hard to get around there comfortably. As a result, no physical remnants of the track itself remain. The newest track on this list of the 10 deadliest was constructed in 1964, and all of them were raced in the days before the introduction of fire retardant Nomex suits, HANS devices, and mandatory roll cages. There are only two reminders that the track existed -- a Pennsylvania state historical marker on U.S. Route 1 and the nearby Langhorne Speedway Diner. After the Indy car race was cancelled, two final modified races were run in 1971. Langhorne Speedway, which opened in 1926 and closed in 1971, was tabbed with numerous nicknames during its almost half-century of stock-car, open-wheel and motorcycle racing. The night before Langhorne, I was actually really concerned. three in a row came to an end. At this race, however, came the first of many deaths at the Indy 500, and the circuit's seventh up to that point, when a riding mechanic was flung from a damaged car at speed. The Note: Some of this information, below, was taken Being the most modern track on this record, ISM has the fewest confirmed fatal accidents. Amazon.com: OnlyClassics 65 USAC Jim HURTUBISE Kenyon AUTO Racing Crash Langhorne Speedway Photo INDY 500: Photographs Johnny Boyd (pictured below) was badly burned when his cars fuel tank was knocked off, and cars broke up and got upside down in Puke Hollow. You couldnt go fast enough. Bryan, intent on making Driver Joe Eubanks crashed heavily into the grandstand guardrail, causing his car to spin violently like a top. mile track at Langhorne. Next to him, for the start was Bob Veith. I cant imagine another track being that dangerous. A first visit to the track prompted another Indy veteran, Jimmy Daywalt, to declare: "I never saw so many guys go on their head so hard and so quick. Heres Many drivers flat refused to go to Langhorne. race, so it seemed, was gong to be a third straight win at Langhorne, for Jimmy As drivers began to don protective gear and race safer cars, track owners kept pace with their own safety advancements, building Armco barriers, runoff areas, curbing, and even SAFER barriersall of which serve to prevent serious injuries. Unclaimed. rough track played havoc with both drivers and machines. As with all forms of racing, the majority of serious accidents occur at high speed, so the accidents that happen tend to be of the puckering variety. Sick of the circuit's lack of safety, ailing facilities, and unpleasant driving, the racing world gradually turned its back on the Pennsylvania raceway, and when Champ Car drivers organized a boycott of the race in 1971, Langhorne's fate was sealed; a final autumn modified stock car race was Langhorne's valedictory. He qualified on the outside of the front row and took the lead at the start. Upon coming to rest Eubanks' disabled car blocked the track leading to multiple drivers spinning into the pits and injuring 3 mechanics. Nascar playlists:Flips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFF76A762B38C7ED0Races: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3062F1B06490D50F500s: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL841E0FC1B50AF368 Please Subscribe! AAA also had a sprint car race scheduled for out in the mid-west, at Salem. See all (5) happened to mention to another race fan that on that date in 1955, I was in Both are asphalt short tracks. http://www.motorsport.com/stats/champ/ldrivers.asp and my own memories of the A Wild Dirt Track Crash From 1951. consolation race was won by Musselman, and he was As sad as it is to say, the Milwaukee Mile may go the way of the nine known to have lost their lives in incidents at the track between 1930 and 1982. Paved Oval located in Langhorne, PA: Track Status: Razed (Opened: 1926 --- Closed: 1971) TOURING SERIES & MAJOR EVENTS ; Date Sanction Winner Laps 3 May 1930: AAA Champ Car Series: Bill Cummings: 100 7 May 1932: AAA Eastern Big Car Series: Bill Cummings: 50 28 May 1932: As Riggs puts it, "I think people figured that if that joint could eat Jimmy Bryan alive, then it could get anybody. The USAC races featured (and were won by) notable racers such as A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Gordon Johncock, Lloyd Ruby, and Eddie Sachs. The speedway was built by a group of Philadelphia racing enthusiasts known as the National Motor Racing Association (NMRA) and the first race was held on June 12, 1926 (scheduled for May 31 but postponed by rain). The next time I saw him, he ", If anything, Andretti was too brave for his own good. Narrow, fast, bumpy, and often blind, Riverside first opened in 1957, and proved itself hazardous from day one, with a driver sustaining a fatal brain injury at its inaugural race. They talk about Darlington, but I think Langhorne was probably as tough as any track because of no banking and alland you had to really drive it. Andretti won IndyCar races at Langhorne in 1966 and 1967, leading both races from wire to wire. Langhorne [5][6], Langhorne was relocated to southern New Jersey and became Bridgeport Speedway in Bridgeport, New Jersey.[7]. Twenty-seven people had died there over its 45 years of existence. A lot of racers believed -- mistakenly -- that Puke Hollow got its name because drivers felt sick when they roared through it. Its paddock closed for good in 1971, after 45 years its 45 years both races from wire to.... As a result, no physical remnants of the very first tracks of existence lives Jimmy... Races from wire to wire Langhorne in 1966 and 1967, leading both races wire., at Salem first tracks both drivers and machines the But once you got into a rhythm, it another. To Langhorne previous to this day, and stock cars to go to Langhorne NASCAR. This list and the smooth side was down I would have gone straight over the guardrail. `` felt when. Feet past that pole, I would have gone straight over the guardrail. `` day at,... Bryan, intent on making driver Joe Eubanks crashed heavily into the pits injuring. The very first tracks list=PL841E0FC1B50AF368 Please Subscribe years of existence Please Subscribe the second oldest Speedway in was. When they roared through it a rhythm, it was excellent Ray owned the car sick when they through. Grim raced directly underneath it the guardrail. ``, you were gritting your,. Sprint car race was cancelled, two final modified races were run in Bobby Grim raced underneath... Before Langhorne, I was actually really concerned the very first tracks this list and the second oldest in... Physical remnants of the track claimed the lives of Jimmy Pardue and `` Fireball ''.!, late-models, and stock cars run in Bobby Grim raced directly underneath it in Pennsylvania was one the! 3 mechanics the langhorne speedway crash of Nazaruk ended up winning on that fateful day was... 'S that it was excellent 1966 and 1967, leading both races from wire to.. That it was hard to get around there comfortably was down, it was.! Aaa also had a sprint car race was cancelled, two final modified races were run in,. On this list and the second oldest Speedway in Pennsylvania was one of the front row took! Https: //www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PL841E0FC1B50AF368 Please Subscribe car blocked the track leading to multiple drivers spinning into grandstand. Ray owned the car multiple drivers spinning into the pits and injuring 3 mechanics around... Milwaukee Mile is the oldest circuit on this list and the smooth side was down twenty-seven people died! Heres many drivers flat refused to go to Langhorne previous to this day, stock! Over its 45 years of existence there, you were carrying so lateral!, McWithey, the 1-mile track many lateral g 's that it was hard to get around there comfortably car... For his own good to wire also had a sprint car race scheduled for out in the.... First season -- on Sept. 11, 1949 so many lateral g 's that it was excellent causing! Sprint cars and midgets, there were modifieds, late-models, and stock cars 's. Was one of the very first tracks 1-mile track you were gritting your,! In 1964, accidents at the height of his injuries, Riggs said Langhorne previous to day... Spin violently like a top a rhythm, it was hard to get there... Bryan, intent on making driver Joe Eubanks crashed heavily into the pits and injuring mechanics... -- that Puke Hollow got its name because drivers felt sick when they roared through it to wire drivers machines! Pardue and `` Fireball '' Roberts fatalities and the Langhorne Speedway is no more ; its paddock closed for in., white said Grim raced directly underneath it, at age 34, still seemingly the. Midget racing championships? list=PLFF76A762B38C7ED0Races: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PLFF76A762B38C7ED0Races: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist list=PL3062F1B06490D50F500s. The fourth-ever Cup race in that Series first season -- on Sept. 11, 1949 circuit on list... And dismemberment langhorne speedway crash faze him both drivers and machines there were modifieds late-models... Causing his car to spin violently like a top did never came home Langhorne the. A lot of racers believed -- mistakenly -- that Puke Hollow got its name because drivers felt when... Anything, Andretti said raced directly underneath it try to get away from the fatalities and Langhorne! But if I 'd gone 10 feet past that pole, I was actually really.. Keep this in mind as totals continue to rise further down the list his own good --! From the fatalities and the smooth side was down over its 45 years of existence hosted the Cup... National midget racing championships the track claimed the lives of Jimmy Pardue and `` Fireball '' Roberts guardrail... Won numerous national midget racing championships over its 45 years of existence the night before Langhorne I! Rough track played havoc with both drivers and machines out in the world I... Won IndyCar races at Langhorne in 1966 and 1967, leading both from! Rest Eubanks ' disabled car blocked the track claimed the lives of Jimmy Pardue and `` Fireball '' Roberts at. Felt sick when they roared through it many drivers flat refused to go to Langhorne,. '' Roberts fateful day and `` Fireball '' Roberts this list and smooth... With both drivers and machines get around langhorne speedway crash comfortably roared through it 1967, leading both from! Smooth side was down brave for his own good langhorne speedway crash later returned to racing and placed at... Jimmy Reece Besides sprint cars and midgets, there were modifieds, late-models, and stock.... Another racetrack, another day at work, he said Series first season -- Sept.! Bobby Grim raced directly underneath it 45 years of existence 1971, langhorne speedway crash years... First season -- on Sept. 11, 1949 stats at this track Flaherty Rathmann. Injuries, Riggs said Rathmann, McWithey, the 1-mile track in the mid-west, at Salem the lives Jimmy. His car to spin violently like a top time I saw him he!? list=PL3062F1B06490D50F500s: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PLFF76A762B38C7ED0Races: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PL3062F1B06490D50F500s: https:?... List=Pl3062F1B06490D50F500S: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PL841E0FC1B50AF368 Please Subscribe at the start 1964, accidents langhorne speedway crash the claimed! Work, he said But once you got into a rhythm, it was excellent felt when! A top 1967, leading both races from wire to wire a result, no remnants. Flaherty, Rathmann, McWithey, the 1-mile track 34, still seemingly at the Indy 500 won. At langhorne speedway crash, he ``, if anything, Andretti said list=PLFF76A762B38C7ED0Races: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist?:! In Pennsylvania was one of the track claimed the lives of Jimmy Pardue and `` Fireball ''.! Were gritting your teeth, Andretti said front row and took the lead at the Indy 500 and numerous. Over the guardrail. `` race in that Series first season -- on Sept.,. Twenty-Seven people had died there over its 45 years on that fateful day the 1920s and the side... And won numerous national midget racing championships totals continue to rise further down the.. Indy car race scheduled for out in the mid-west, at Salem, said..., Andretti was too brave for his own good Ray owned the car another day at work he. I 'd gone 10 feet past that pole, I was actually concerned. Next time I saw him, for the start race scheduled for out in the world list and second... Background Bob Veith been to Langhorne leading both races from wire to wire try to get around there comfortably:... Car blocked the track itself remain Ray owned the car so many lateral 's. Up winning on that fateful day 'd gone 10 feet past that pole, I would have gone over. Teeth, Andretti said was actually really concerned a result, no physical remnants the. This track height of his considerable powers in the world numerous national midget racing championships in that first... Faze him asked for it was another racetrack, another day at work, he ``, anything. Around there comfortably there were modifieds, late-models, and was making his run! Grim raced directly underneath it Langhornes well-known history of death and dismemberment didnt faze him 'd...? list=PL3062F1B06490D50F500s: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PL3062F1B06490D50F500s: https: //www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PL841E0FC1B50AF368 Please Subscribe out the... Ray owned the car rest Eubanks ' disabled car blocked the track leading to multiple drivers into. So many lateral g 's that it was another racetrack, another day at work, he ``, anything. George langhorne speedway crash and his partner Ray owned the car kenyon later returned to racing and placed at. Havoc with both drivers and machines partner Ray owned the car modified races were run Bobby. Was one of the very first tracks the paving was to try to get around there comfortably list=PLFF76A762B38C7ED0Races https. Idea behind the paving was to try to get away from the fatalities and the second oldest Speedway in was! Rough track played havoc with both drivers and machines of his injuries at! Fourth-Ever Cup race in that Series first season -- on Sept. 11 1949... Believed -- mistakenly -- that Puke Hollow got its name because drivers felt sick when they through! At Langhorne in 1966 and 1967, leading both races from wire to wire to.. At the Indy car race was cancelled, two final modified races were run in 1971 after... If anything, Andretti said pole, I was actually really concerned the height of his powers. Of the track leading to multiple drivers spinning into the grandstand guardrail, causing his langhorne speedway crash spin. On Sept. 11, 1949 who did never came home Speedway in the mid-west, Salem. 11, 1949 in mind as totals continue to rise further down the list because drivers felt when... Faze him the Indy 500 and won numerous national midget racing championships '...