Tragic Ending for '55 Indy 500 Racer Bob Sweikert / Hayward Gravesite
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Bob Sweickert was one of the most successful racers in the 1950s, winning the 1955 Indianapolis 500 race after the tragic death of Bill Vukovich. Bob had it all, a beautiful wife and three kids, a string of successes and looks to boot. But it all came to an end on a Salem, Indiana speedway in 1956. On a high bank turn he lost control, went over the edge and received fatal injuries.
Jeff visits his grave at the beautiful Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward, Calif.
#indycar #racecar #historyhunters
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You are right! After 1 or 2 generations,we are all forgotten unless you have made history.
Keep doing your history videos.Whether in a cemetary or other lands.We all enjoy them!
Well said! Thank you so much Suzanne!
Yep that's why I'm being cremated. Why waste a space and a fancy looking coffin that will soon be in the ground forever and forgotten.
As a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis 500, this video is much appreciated. Thank you.
Awesome to hear your thoughts! Thank you! He certainly would have become greater with time but the crash ended it all. Way too young.
@@jbenziggy Yes, it was a different era. From what I’ve read, Sweikert was very popular and well respected. I’m glad that someone did a video about him and his wife. Who knows, someone a hundred years from now might watch your video. Again, well done.
I read Dorie Sweikert’s book, ALONG FOR THE RIDE. It was an excellent read and provided insight into the minds of racers in the 50’s and what their spouses dealt with.
I tried to get my hands on a copy but they are rare!
Have you checked at your library? I obtained a copy from my library, but this indianapolis, that might make a difference.
When I wake up Sunday morning I get a cuppa coffee and look forward to watching your videos. Thank you☕️
Yay! Thank you!
Amazing historical racing footage. Hard to imagine what it must of been like to celebrate a win after losing a fellow competitor in a fatal accident. Well done video Jeff!
Racing, while still dangerous is much safer than it was even in the 1970's. The safer barriers, carbon fiber cars which are designed to absorb the impact, the Hans device, the improved cockpit protection and better personal protection for the drivers has made it so a driver being killed is a major malfunction rather than a common occurrence.
My grandfather was a mechanic on those racecars and my father was big fan of both indy and NASCAR. My son has inherited the interest. Wonderful video as always.
Thanks, Sherry! Seems like the old days safety wasn't as big a concern as it is today! Can you imagine no roll bars to protect drivers once their car flips! Yikes!
I enjoy the history of cemetery videos. Nothing wrong with remembering someone or learning about their life. Great job as always.
Thanks 👍 and have you appeared on camera yet? Lol.
Always love the cemetery videos, it's where history lies for anyone to explore. Thanks for sharing Jeff 👍
husband speaking age 80, looking back, it is hard to imagine that no one thought roll bars on a super fast race care
might not be a good idea. I and 70 other veterans from Wash. State are being honored with a free trip to D.C. next weekend
to visit all the memorials for all services and the Arlington Cemetery. Looking fwd to see the changing of the guard for sure.
Great video the Bay Area had a rich history in race car drivers. The Bay Area also many race tracks and a drag strip at one time most are gone and forgotten.
They say you die twice. First, when you die and then you die a second time when no one alive remembers your name. Bob Sweikert deserves to live a little longer. Thank you.
I met Troy Ruttman, the winner of the 1952 Indianapolis 500. When I was a kid I would regularly walk by his go-kart and mini-bike store and manufacturing shop in Dearborn Heights, MI. Being a kid I’d stop in many times to look at some of the things he’d be making on my way home from school. I saw him many, many times back then. He was the youngest winner of an Indianapolis 500 race. I met his son Troy Jr also, who was killed at a race in Pocono, PA in 1969 at only 19 years old.
Thanks Jeff and history hunter's miss you Sarah
My father related to me the time when he was listening to the live radio broadcast of the 1955 Indy 500 and upon hearing regarding the crash and subsequent death of "Vuky" endured a panic attack, so he was very affected by the occurrence, much as he enjoyed racing events (he occasionally participated in rallies and the like).
I believe that SoCal has more Indy 500 personnel @ rest outside the state of Indiana itself. I've personally visited the graves of Ralph Hepburn, Frank Kurtis (of Kurtis Kraft) and Barney Oldfield, but others interred here include Manny Ayulo, Charles Basle, Bob Cortner, Walt Faulkner, Al Gordon, Joe Granatelli, Mack Hellings, Chuck Hulse, Howard Keck, Andy Linden, Dave MacDonald, Spider Matlock, Rex Mays, Jack McGrath, Mike Mosley, Cal Niday, Swede Savage, Bill Spence, Stubby Stubblefield, "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff, Ernie Triplett and Leo Whitaker. (Vuky's up in Fresno.)
I grew up in Indianapolis In! We lived within blocks of the Indy 500! I can remember all the practices, carb day, qualifications and all the balloons being released on race day. I never attended a race, but I came vividly remember the crowds, the sounds of the engines roaring around the track, and all the hype surrounding the month of May! I was born in July of 65 and lived in the neighborhood known as Rainbow Ridge (Tibbs and 16th St). I was always fascinated by the Indy 500! Fact: there were many houses that ran along Tibbs Ave that was purchased by, and many of their garages built/linked together via the alley. These where commonly owned by the mechanics and engineers who raced at the Indy 500 and IRP (Indianapolis Raceway Park)!
There are many fascinating stories surrounding this iconic track!
Thanks for sharing!
I bet Bob Sweikert and his wife lived pretty close to that track. So much racing history there! Thanks for sharing your information, Scott!
How did you miss attending the race?
How right you are; after 2 generations, you are forgotten. God bless you for showing these videos!
Thanks for watching! And may God in heaven bless you too!!!
Thanks Jeff for another great video...enjoyed the Racing as well as the Cemetery visit..Veterans always seem to be forgotten,a real shame.
Have to admit I always enjoy anything to do with Cars,as my Uncle was a NASCAR Official and my Brothers were Drag Racers..I Love cars.Thanks again Jeff for the visit to the Veterans.
I live close to the Speedway and have attended 36 Indy 500 in a row. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly from my favor sport. My parents have so much footage from the race on 8mm film including the well known but fatal deaths of Eddie Sachs and Dave McDonald accident. Billy Vukovich was a legend and a back to back Indy 500 winner in 53 and 54. In 55, Vuky was leading the race before this fatal crash. Many considered him to win so many more Indy 500s. As you mentioned, Bob's victory was overshadowed by Billy's death. Billy is buried at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno. Great video Jeff! Thank you for all your work!
I remember Bob. My dad’s WW2 Marine Corps buddy lived across the street from the track. I was only 9 when Bob died but remember him qualifying for the 1955 race. I studied the 500 Programs as a kid and still recall most of the drivers from the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was a terribly dangerous era. One in 10 drivers were killed each year. To this day when Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt meet they always ask, “ how did we survive “.
Now I’m going to watch the Indy Car race from Long Beach
Bob Schweikert had a buddy that was a U.S. Marine in WWII (Okinawa campaign) who just passed away this year at age 97. I wonder if it was the same Marine that was your dad's buddy. 🤔
@@michaeltaylor8501 I think not. My dad and his Marine Corps buddies from Indy were at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian in the second division. The second division was not at Okinawa.
I stand corrected. The second division has troops at Okinawa. I was thinking of Iwo Jima. My dad and his buddies had four island campaigns under their belt already and were not required. The Marines had a saying. If you survive three you won’t survive four. Somehow they did.
@@Kidgavilan700
I only spoke with this Marine once - & right now I don't recall his name (as I have some memory issues). He spoke of his being involved in the mop-up of Okinawa - searching for the hold-outs after the island was declared to be ours (those hold-outs usually had to be killed or burried alive as most weren't very cooperative & didn't like the idea of giving up; & the Marines didn't mind killing them).
During the battle for Okinawa my Great Uncle "Willie" was aboard the U.S.S. Steamer Bay (CVE-87) which narrowly avoided being hit by a kamakazie (while several other ships around it weren't so lucky).
I was at Camp Hansen, Okinawa a couple of times while deployed in the Marines during the 1980s (with 1/7): there were still unexploded shells being found then (keeping E.O.D. active).
Take Care Now.
I have always found visiting cemeteries to be fascinating.
I was born & raised in Indianapolis, so I was pretty familiar with Bob Sweikert. The memories of these men and women who have raced in the 500 are kept alive by a lot of us here in Indianapolis, but I still learned a few things from this video.
This is great work!
You earned a subscription from me.
We’re only 4 weeks away from the Greatest Spectacle in Racing…
Another gr8 HH episode! Thnx Jeff and you're so right 1 or 2 decades and you're not even a memory any longer...
Appreciate those you care about, and those who care for you. Life is fleeting.
That is so true, so very true. Make each day count, reach out and call or visit a loved one because you don’t know how long you have them.
Thanks, Jeff, for keeping memories alive
We are having fun doing it too. Thank you so much.
Ah, the Indy 500! Have been once in the early 2000's. It was SO loud, but amazing, and catching a quick photo of the stealth plane whisking overhead. Thanks for the memory jog!
Thank you for this video. I have been a fan of "The Indianapolis 500" since my childhood and Bob Sweikert has always been one one my favorite drivers to win this race, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Bob raced in an era where so many really great drivers died doing what they loved the best!
Bob's race shop and the home he built with his Indy 500 winnings still survive. The race shop has a super interesting history as many, many racers have lived at the address (and of course it has a deluxe garage)
THE speedway is just 20 miles west of me and you covered that as a true race fan. I found the fact that over 1/2 the 55' field died behind the wheel amazing.
Hi Jeff ...Hope Sarah is well, missed her. I liked the intro.
Today's episode necessary, but sad. There was a driver killed in the last week or so, Justin Owen. Love the sport. Reality rears its ugly head from time-to-time.
Hope you both have a good week.
Always been fascinated by the lives of old racers, good commentary also. Thank you for sharing.
Hello Sarah and Jeff, what a wonderful beautiful day at the beautiful cemetery. We also have a gorgous Sunday in okla today rather windy tho. Is true Jeff so sad people have been forgotten about. You did another great job again I love your cemetery walk through as always another fun time with you. Much love and blessings and thankyou to. Take care. 👍♥️💯🙋
Cemeteries are a springboard for history. Starting with the final resting place of someone who helped create history and then working our way backward to see what they did is enriching and enjoyable.
Thank you once again for our Sunday morning history lesson, I appreciate all you do to educate us with long forgotten information that is very interesting to lean about. Bless you both!
Thank you and blessings right back at you Jerry!
As an auto racing fan I appreciate this episode Jeff. Unfortunately due to my profession I've lost many a friends. Don't complain about growing old it's a privilege denied to many. Always remember a warrior is never forgotten as long as his name is spoken. Thanks Jeff.
As a motor racing enthusiast and a racing historian with European background, I thoroughly enjoy these moments of history, also in this case, despite the tragic death of Bob Sweikert and the sorrow his young beautiful widow and their children had to go through. Thank you again, very best regards from Finland! 🏁🏆🇫🇮
To add: I meant to say that I enjoy these videos because they so perfectly show appreciation to those who have perished on tracks.
So many have been forgotten. Unless of course you have History Hunters!!! Appreciate that you and Sara dont let those who have passed be forgotten.
Another interesting video, love to see the people remembered. Especially liked the soldiers remembered at Andersonville. Thanks you two.
Thank you for sharing! There’s a lot of history to be learned by visiting a cemetery!!!
Another nice presentation, as a kid in the 60s/70s, I always tuned in the race. Whatever your plans are in the future, here's hoping that you and your wife will visit the grave of the Super Horse, Secretariat .... Godspeed !
Thank you for mentioning Andersonville. My great-great grandfather survived it.
He was fortunate to get back home alive.
🇺🇲😎👍
I would not exist if he had not returned.
Thanks for the graveyard videos. It is important not to forget the people of history.
I totally agree, Angela. Thank you so much for watching this video.
These people need to be remembered for their accomplishments. Glad that you gave us a glimpse of their histories. 👍👏
Thank you for sharing this one. Being from Fresno I have known of Bill Vukovich for a long time. I had never before seen film of his fatal crash or knew that it existed. So in telling one story you added depth to another. There is a monument to Vukovich at the Memorial Auditorium in downtown Fresno which influenced me so much as a child that it developed in me a life long love of auto racing. Thanks again.
It's hard to watch these early crash videos. They were so violent & tragic. They were such risk takers driving without virtually any protection. Nowadays you almost look forward to seeing a good crash as you don't have to worry as much about whether they come out without any injuries. Thanks for the history.
Yep a rollover almost meant certain death since the driver's head was at least 9 to 12 inches above the cockpit.
Thank you both for this video ,another good one , I was one year old when the crash happened. So needless to say I do not remember this one, you bring back the past rather well. THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA......
Even today still dangerous great story
Living in Tulsa and the area of John Zink. JZ and his racing is such a legend in these parts. Thank you!
Our pleasure! Thank you!
I am not a racing fan, but I enjoyed the story. Nice history lesson, thank you.
Profound observation. We are just a couple of generations from anonymity. Well said.
Back in the 70s and 80s we would go to forest lawn Hollywood hills and other cemetery's like Hollywood forever cemetery.
There is so much history especially at cabrillo national cemetery in
point loma the most beautiful place in San Diego.
I go there to pray for our fallen solders and thank them and pray for the future of our country.
Thank you for what you do.
That track in Salem Indiana has claimed a lot of lives over the years. So sad he died that way. Great video!
Great story! It's tough to watch the tragic footage from back then. Please keep the videos coming...
The views from that cemetery are gorgeous. Thank you for another wonderful and inspiring video! Hoping to get to California one day!
Oh, you’ve never been to California? So many gorgeous places here! Yosemite is like a 90-minute drive from our house!
Always a pleasure, Jeff
Much appreciated, John!!! Thank you!
Great Video! Grew up in Castro Valley till I was 12 and loved hanging out in Hayward. Plunge, skating rink, Woolworths, etc.
Thanks for sharing!
This episode reminded me of a movie called The Big Wheel with Mickey Rooney 1949. Those drivers sure put their lives on the line back in those days.
Thanks for sharing.. cemeteries are fun to explore
You always do a great job with your stories and facts. I recently walked through a very old cemetery on McKinley Ave in Sanger. I was thinking here are some of the forgotten. The oldest grave being a person born in 1805. Some of these older graves nobody remembers anymore.
Thank you, Dan!
I was a turn worker at Laguna Seca for the MOTO GP, World Super Bikes and for the AMA. I’ve seen to many accidents like that. I loved to ride motorcycles.
I’ve called life flight 4 times on the track.
I don’t ride motorcycles anymore.
Sarah wouldn’t ride with me if I got one. Lol. But as they say, it’s not a matter if you’ll go down but when. Dangerous things. I young lady in our country just died on Highway 99 riding to work. She was 24.
A high school friend of mine just lost her son who was on his motorcycle. He was hit in an intersection by a drunk driver
I enjoy the cemetery videos. I had never heard of hardly any of these people. Racing must have been quite a challenge, particularly in those earlier days. Thanks for mixing up your topics like you often do, Jeff. I find all of your videos interesting.👏 WOW, I had never heard about that jinx. That final picture was almost beyond belief.😔
Yeah I saw those guys when I was a kid and I couldn’t believe how they starved to death. Horrible!
We enjoy all your informative videos.
Thank you for this great forgotten history.
Our pleasure!
There are so many fascinating stories in cemeteries. I learned so much about car racing . I knew very little about car racing history . I always enjoy these videos!! Thankyou History Hunters 🤩🤩💯💯
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Pam! Dangerous kind of work!
Really interesting story. History always holds a fascination and lure to it and it’s great you bring it to all. 👍👌
A great video on a great story. Sweikert was before my time, but I saw many a race at Salem with my Dad and Mom through the years. Thanks for making this!
You are welcome, Terry! Thank you for watching and leaving the nice comment!
I am one of those who likes Cemetery history lessons. It is sad that we are forgotten after so many years. So much is lost. Thanx for your videos.
I totally agree! Thanks Red!
I was doing a cemetery walk today when I came across two Civil War graves. Not unusual except they are in a small pioneer cemetery in Melbourne Australia. I'll be doing a video on them soon.
Dolores lived almost 60 years after the crash that took Bob. What a long time.
Great coverage of the race car drivers. ty
Those accidents were horrifying. The drivers were so exposed. Thank you for remembering them.☮️💖🎶
Jeff, Many Thanks for a most moving video..
Very welcome! Thank you!
Hi ! Great story ! Very interesting and informative ! A nice history lesson !! Thanks for your research and dedication ! Take care ! Deborah 🇨🇦
Wonderfully done. Love to hear about racing history.
Thank you for this well researched video . Sunday mornings always start with HISTORY HUNTERS and special chocolate coffee!!!!!!
Sounds great! Thank you so much for enjoying our videos with your Sunday coffee.
excellent video Jeff, i was hoping you saw Bob`s head stone when you were there. my parents are buried near him. my dad was one of bob`s mechanics when he ran at the old oakland speedway (the track with the high banks in your video). thanks Jeff.
Thanks for sharing! Is the Oakland Speedway still there?
@@jbenziggy no,it was removed in the 50s for a shopping mall.
Special thanks for the efforts put into your many great videos! Your both special people! Life is short!
Hello Jeff, another great history video, well done, thank you very much Jeff & Sarah for continuing with History Hunters!
Our pleasure! I didn’t know about Bob before my visit but the more I researched the more fascinated I was! He died five years before I was born.
@@jbenziggy we are the same age then. You are aging more gracefully than me! 😅😅
To see them celebrate a win after the tragic death of a fellow racer was kinda of strange and disturbing.. I’m sad for the family of racer Vukovich .. how horrible to watch that crash and then see the celebration at the
end.. really terrible. You would never see that today.
Thank goodness the safety measures have been improved so much today.
My mother dated Billy Vucovich Sr. Back in the day.They met in their hometown of Fresno.I doubt it was serious.Never asked her too much about it.
Wow, what a connection! I know Vukovich is buried in the Central Valley of California and hope to make it to his gravesite!
Back in the 1950's the drivers would often rent a room from Speedway Indiana residents who lived near the track since practice, qualifying and racing at Indy was a monthlong process. Bill Vukovich rented a room on 16th St which was a house right next to the Conkle Funeral home which is where they had his funeral.
What a young life Jeff to just die at 30 years old. I really enjoyed the video I thank you so much for the tour through this gentleman's life. With this video at least he will not be forgotten. Thanks again Jeff for sharing always enjoy your stories.
Always wonderful!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Safety for the drivers has sure come a long way . When I look at how exposed these drivers were I wonder how they didn't realize it.
They did. But that was the way it was and if they wanted to race, they did it knowing the risks. Safety in racing really didn't start to be considered until the early and mid 1970s.
Bob was a bit before my time, but I have been to Indy and Salem several times. Love both courses, but you can all most feel the inherent dangers that comes with racing.
Hey Jeff and Sarah! I just HAD to share this with a friend who’s a HUGE car enthusiast! He also left California and now lives in Indiana. As always superb content!! Much love from your biggest Tennessee (formerly California) fans!!!♥️
Thanks for sharing with your friend!! We appreciate it! Hope all is going well in Tennessee!
The cemetery walks have always been a favorite of ours! Thanks!
@@melindagordonbeck8958 thank you for appreciating them! My own sons think they are depressing but I think they are fascinating!
@@jbenziggy NOT depressing! They’re fascinating bits of history that showed someone was here!♥️
Having lived in New Jersey....we have Revolutionary war era family buried in the same cemetery of Declaration of Independence signer John Hart....and in another cemetery near Civil War general Geo. McClellan...also lived in New Hampshire where the many grave epitaphs are always interesting finds. I came across a Revolutionary war Valley Forge veteran's grave in northeastern Ohio....and some Confederate soldiers graves in southeast Ohio who had died from illness while on the John Hunt Morgan raids. You are right about being forgotten after a couple generations....and with the increase in the cremation choice there will be countless forgotten lives within our own families. I have my veterans plot in a National Cemetery with ...posterity in mind.
Thank you for this. Your insight and effort in bringing this to share, is appreciated.
great video . I live right across the bridge in San Mateo . had no idea such a piece of history was nearby
Great coverage Jeff
his wife dorie wrote a book called along for the ride a love story that describes her life with bob
great read and definitely a must for race drivers
I tried to get my hands on a copy while prepping for this video but apparently it's very rare.
@@jbenziggy yeah its hard to get it
i have one and i treasure it
@@jbenziggy i think one of them is available on abebooks right now
Thank you so much. I appreciate the history you take the time to bring to us along with your research. And as always for highlighting our service men and women.
Jeff, thanks for a great deep dive and to helping keep this forgotten history alive.
Lots of history in a cemetery and all your videos are interesting and full of history, even forgotten history. Keep up the good work !
Thanks, will do!
Great story, as usual! It shocked me, the payout for winning the Indy back then. The poor guy wins, but unfortunately the other passed in the crash. The widow showed that back then people took their vows seriously, she stayed single a very long time!
Great video as usual
Another great video!
Thank you Jeff. For Bob Sweikert story. That was a bad way to go out. And so young at 30. You just do an awesome job documenting these people. Thank you for sharing! 💯❤️
Thank you kindly, Terry!
Excellent episode. I love the obscure random cemetery tours and this one did not disappoint!
Thank you for sharing another great story!
Our pleasure!
Another great video, Thank you!
Thanks again!
Newly joined and really mesmerized! Thank you for sharing.
Awesome! Thank you! Welcome to our channel! So happy that you found us and appreciate you telling us about it!