Memorium of Drag Racers (1990-94)
_______, ________
Born:
Died: April 22, 1990
Buried:
Age:
Full Name:
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Atco Raceway, near Waterford Township, New Jersey
Event:
Accident Date: April 22, 1990
Car: 1967 Ford Mustang
Biographical: The drag racer was killed when he skidded out of control on an oil slick. More research is needed.
Sources
"Metropolitan area news in brief," Philadelphia Inquirer, Apr. 23, 1990
Photos
Lonnie _________
Born:
Died: June 16, 1991
Buried:
Age:
Full Name: Lonnie D. _________
Nickname:
Drag Strip: U. S. 36 Drag Strip, Osborn, Missouri
Event:
Accident Date: June 15, 1991
Car: 1967 Chevrolet Nova
Biographical: He died Sunday from injuries sustained in an accident on Saturday night. Further research is needed to determine his surname (see newspaper article) and other details.
Sources
"Racer dies," Kansas City Star, June 18, 1991Photos
Kelly Batten
Born:
Died: September 5, 1993
Buried:
Age: 34
Full Name:
Nickname:
Drag Strip: St. Thomas Dragway, Sparta, Ontario, Canada
Event:
Accident Date: September 5, 1993
Car: dragster
Biographical: He died when his vehicle went off the end of the race track and crashed. He weighed over 300 pounds and was from Wadding Cres., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Sources
"Market butcher killed in freak speedway accident," Toronto Star, September 7, 1993
"Drag racer died doing what he loved," Toronto Star, October 2, 1993
Photos
Al Dapozzo
Born: October 21, 1948
Died: September 10, 1993
Buried:
Age: 44
Full Name: Al P. Dapozzo
Nickname: "Disposal"
Drag Strip: Beach Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Event: NHRA Division 3 Points race
Accident Date: August 29, 1993
Car: TA/FC
Biographical: Sixty feet out from the start his car made a hard move left toward the center line, then a hard right, whereupon
it hit the wall. The impact resulted in the headers breaking off the engine, which was still running. This caused a fire. The car continued down the race track on fire, not stopping until well
beyond the finish line. By the time the safety crew could address the fire, Dapozzo had been badly burned. He succumbed to his injuries in a Nashville, Tennessee hospital about three weeks
later. He was a veteran driver of long experience, winning ten national events and two divisional titles, principally in the 1980s. He was one of the few drivers to win national events in both
Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. His best time in the dragster was 6.305 and 216.86 MPH. He was survived by his wife, Joann, and one child.
Sources
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=5195)
Social Security Death Index (A. P. Dapozzo, born Oct. 21, 1948, died Sep. 1993, SS# issued Illinois 1961-62)
SpeedZone Magazine (http://www.speedzonemagazine.com/zones/alkyzone/04alkyzone/04janalky/04jantop25tad.htm)
Photos
SpeedZone Magazine (http://www.speedzonemagazine.com/zones/alkyzone/04alkyzone/04janalky/Al-DaPazzo-MMM-85.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.speedzonemagazine.com/zones/alkyzone/04alkyzone/04janalky/04jantop25tad.htm&usg=__MkltOGZZs3w8ggqInz8yFRaG1l4=&h=191&w=350&sz=20&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=DOZFA0vTnoKdtM:&tbnh=65&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dal%2Bdapozzo%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
http://www.nhrafinals.com/galleries/sportsman/image8.html (accessed 12/25/10)
Ron Dees
Born: March 4, 1945
Died: January 15, 1994
Buried:
Age: 48
Full Name: Ronald Edwin Dees
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, California
Event: testing/practice
Accident Date: January 15, 1994
Car: dragster
Biographical: While making a solo test run, he lost control of his car about three-fourths of the way into the quarter mile.
It veered sharply to the left, slammed into a wall, and rolled well beyond the finish line. His helmet came off when he struck the wall and he suffered severe head injuries. He was
transported to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa where he was pronounced dead. He was a resident of Napa, California.
Sources
"Drag racer killed," Greensboro News & Record, January 17, 1994
"Drag racer dies," Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Jan. 17, 1994
"Sports news," Associated Press, January 16, 1994
"Death at the track: 1993-1997," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=4944)
Photos
Ron Filkins
Born: January 25, 1943
Died: August 1, 1993
Buried:
Age: 50
Full Name: Ronald Leroy Filkins
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma County, California
Event: NHRA Autolite National Drag Racing Championships
Accident Date: August 1, 1993
Car: SS/GA 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Biographical: He suffered a heart attack in his car while returning to the pits on the return road after winning the first round of
eliminations. He was rushed to Petaluma Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was a resident of Alta Loma, California. He won the Super Stock division at the 1993
Winternationals and the 1990 Winston World Finals at Pomona.
Sources
"Drag racer is dead after heart attack," Los Angeles Times, August 2, 1993
"Death at the track: 1990-1993," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=5052)
Photos
Vinston Holmes
Born: August 4, 1949
Died: August 18, 1990
Buried:
Age: 41
Full Name: Vinston Holmes, Jr.
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Dunn-Benson Drag Strip, North Carolina
Event: testing
Accident Date: August 18, 1990
Car: Pro Stock 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Biographical: He died during a private testing session on the 1/8th-mile drag strip. He was a resident of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was a runner-up in Comp at the 1990 Winternationals.
Sources
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=5193)
Photos
John Johnson
Born: December 28, 1962
Died: November 14, 1990
Buried:
Age: 27
Full Name: Eben Thomas Johnson, Jr.
Nickname: John Boy
Drag Strip: Orlando Speed World Dragway, Florida
Event:
Accident Date: November 14, 1990
Car: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
Biographical: He was killed after his car veered, hit a guard rail, and flipped. He was ejected from the vehicle. He
lived in Kissimmee, Florida.
Sources
"Death at the track: 1990-1993," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
"Speed testing the limit exacts toll from John Johnson," Orlando Sentinel, November 16,
1990
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=1630)
Photos
Oscar Lubke
Born: December 2, 1943
Died: September 28, 1991
Buried:
Age: 47
Full Name: Oscar Harvey Lubke
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Mooresville Dragway, North Carolina
Event: IHRA
Accident Date: September 28, 1991
Car:
Biographical: When he slammed into a guard rail, a piece of the rail punctured his windshield and struck him in the head. He
lived in Concord, North Carolina. He was a loan manager by occupation.
Sources
"Drag race entrant killed," Charlotte Observer, September 29, 1991
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/e/u/l/Wayne-Euler-tn/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0193.html (accessed 12/25/10)
"Death at the track: 1990-1993," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
Photos
Don Marsh
Born: January 9, 1956
Died: August 13, 1994
Buried:
Age: 38
Full Name: Don H. Marsh
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Virginia Motorsports Park, near Petersburg, Virginia
Event:
Accident Date: August 13, 1994
Car: "Dastardly Dan" 1993 Pontiac Trans Am jet car
Biographical: He lost control of his jet car during an exhibition run and slammed into a concrete retaining wall. He died at the scene shortly after the crash. He had only recently bought the jet car. He was a resident of Webster, Massachusetts.
Sources
"Drag racer dies after losing control of his car, hitting a wall," Oregonian, August 14, 1994
"Death at the track: 1993-1997," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
"Driver dies at Virginia Motorsports Park," Richmond Times, August 14, 1994
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3298)
DragList.com
Social Security Death Index (D. H. Marsh, born Jan. 9, 1956, died Aug. 15 [sic], 1994, SS# issued Massachusetts 1973)
Photos
George Moeckel
Born: June 27, 1946
Died: October 30, 1994
Buried:
Age: 48
Full Name: George W. Moeckel
Nickname:
Drag Strip: New England Dragway, Epping, New Hampshire
Event:
Accident Date: October 30, 1994
Car: S/G 1993 Chevrolet Beretta
Biographical: When his engine blew in the first round of eliminations, the oil coated the track and his tires. This caused the car to go out of control at a speed of 138 MPH, hit the Jersey barrier wall at least twice, rolled several times, and pinned Moeckel. He lived in North Andover, Massachusetts, and was survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons. His death and accident occurred two years to the day after John Tartaglia died at the same race track. In fact, Moeckel stored his race car in a trailer that had been owned by Tartaglia.
Sources
"Dragway Crash Death," Union Leader, October 31, 1994
"2 Years After 1st Epping Death, Another Bay State Driver Dies," Union Leader, November 1, 1994
"Death at the track: 1993-1997," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
"Eerie coincidence in dragway death," Lewiston Sun-Journal, November 2, 1994
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3354)
Social Security Death Index (George W. Moeckel, born June 27, 1946, died Oct. 30, 1994, SS# issued Massachusetts)
Photos
Mitchell Morton
Born: January 29, 1956
Died: September 7, 1991
Buried: Poplar Forks Baptist Church Cemetery, Warrenton, Virginia
Age: 35
Full Name: Mitchell Henry Morton
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Sumerduck Dragway, near Culpeper, Virginia
Event:
Accident Date: September 7, 1991
Car:
Biographical: He died when his vehicle struck a guard rail after failing to stop at the end of a run. He died while being transported to Fairfax Hospital by helicopter. He was from Warrenton, Virginia, and was survived by his wife and two sons. He had been drag racing for fifteen years.
Sources
"Death at the track: 1990-1993," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
Social Security Death Index (M.H. Morton, born Jan. 29, 1956, died Sep. 1991, SS# issued Virginia 1970)
Mitchell Morton, e-mail communication to site administrator, March 29-30, 2010
Photos
Mitchell Morton, e-mail communication to site administrator, April 1, 2010
Find a Grave (photo courtesy of Diane Rector)
Mitchell Morton in his early mid-20s (left) and with his wife, Carolyn Lea Morton-Hall (right) a little less than a year before he died.
This Camaro is one of Morton's first race cars.
Morton won a championship at Sumerduck Dragway in 1986 with this modified Chevy Monza.
This is the car Morton was racing in his fatal crash.
Jimmy Nix
Born: July 21, 1938
Died: May 21, 1994
Buried: Resthaven Gardens Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Age: 55
Full Name: James W. Nix, II
Nickname: "The Smilin' Okie"
Drag Strip: Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas
Event: Hi-Lo/Pyroil T-Shirt Nitro Night
Accident Date: May 21, 1994
Car: T/F dragster
Biographical: He was competing in a match race against Doug Foxworth. As he neared the finish timing lights, his wing strut became detached on the right side causing his car to go out of control. His car veered into the left guard rail at about 260 MPH. It became airborne with part of the car sliding on top of the guard rail. The car eventually went over the guard rail and hit a pole holding up a track video screen. Upon impact, the car broke into numerous pieces. He was pronounced dead with major head injuries shortly after his arrival at Baylor University Medical Center. He was a successful racer nationally in the 1960s before retiring in 1971. He was the first driver in NHRA history to set records in four different categories (AA/FD, A/FD, AA/D, and S/FX). He returned to competitive drag racing in 1990. He broke the track record at the 1994 Winternationals in Pomona in T/F. His best time in the car had been a 4.78 and 286.75 MPH.
Sources
"Drag racer Nix killed in crash," Daily Oklahoman, May 22, 1994
"Death at the track: 1993-1997," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
"Race car driver Nix dies in crash," Dallas Morning News, May 22, 1994
"Dragster killed," Globe and Mail, May 23, 1994
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=1153)
Social Security Death Index (James W. Nix, born July 21, 1938, died May 21, 1994, SS# issued Oklahoma 1953-54)
Texas Death Index (James Nix II, died May 21, 1994, Ellis Co., TX)
Photos
Division IV Hall of Fame website (www.division4halloffame.com/)
Find a Grave website
Mack Peery
Born: April 7, 1944
Died: June 18, 1994
Buried:
Age: 50
Full Name: Newman Mack Peery
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Brotherhood Raceway, San Pedro, California
Event:
Accident Date: June 18, 1994
Car: 1981 Chevrolet Camaro
Biographical: When his parachute failed to open, he lost control and his vehicle slammed into a concrete retaining wall at a speed of about 150 MPH. He died at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital. He was semi-retired from drag racing. He was a high school shop teacher and auto parts store owner from Lomita, California.
Sources
"Death at the track: 1993-1997," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
"Crash at reopened drag strip kills Lomita driver, 50," Los Angeles Times, June 20, 1994
California Death Index (Newman Mack Peery, died June 18, 1994, LA, born Apr. 7, 1944, mother’s maiden name was Greenslade)
Social Security Death Index (N. M. Peery, born Apr. 7, 1944, died June 1994, SS# issued 1958)
Texas Birth Index (Newman Mack Peery, born Apr. 7, 1944, Cameron Co., TX, son of Sarita Anne Greenslade and Charles Newman Peery; his brother is Charles G., born May 16, 1938)
Photos
Rod Petreman
Born:
Died: September 4, 1994
Buried:
Age: 30
Full Name: Rodney Douglas Petreman
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Viking International Dragway, Gimli,
Manitoba, Canada
Event:
Accident Date: September 4, 1994
Car: Chevy-powered dragster
Biographical: After clocking a speed of 170 MPH, his parachute failed to open properly. His chute failed to fill with air. He spun out of control, struck a guard rail at the end of the race track, and rolled over several times before coming to a stop. It was his fourth run of the day. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. He was a resident of Winnipeg and was survived by his wife and son.
Sources
"Drag racer killed in front of family," Canadian Press, September 6, 1994
"The sports year had dangerous, silly moments," Waterloo Region Record, Dec. 27,
1994
Canadian Public Telephone Records (There is a D. M. Petreman in Winnipeg as of 2002 with phone number 204 339 2533)
Photos
Johnny Pieters
Born:
Died: June 30, 1990
Buried:
Age: 45
Full Name:
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Tarlton Raceway, near Krugersdorp, South Africa
Event:
Accident Date: June 30, 1990
Car: dragster
Biographical: After having been clocked at about 250 MPH, his parachute did not deploy and he crashed into the barriers at the end of the race track. His racing opponent thought that he may have been unconscious after finishing the run. Debris from his disintegrating car struck and killed two men in a support vehicle next to the end of the race track. Pieters was one of South Africa's best drag racing drivers.
Sources
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=8011)
Photos
Rocky Powers
Born: August 1, 1961
Died: March 8, 1992
Buried: Greenlawn Cemetery, Dillon, South Carolina
Age: 30
Full Name: Rocky Lee Powers, Sr.
Nickname:
Drag Strip: 710 Drag Strip, near Rowland, North Carolina
Event:
Accident Date: March 8, 1992
Car: motorcycle
Biographical: He died instantly when his motorcycle slammed into a car while traveling at about 100 MPH near the end of the 1/8th mile drag strip. He was from Beaufort County, South Carolina. He was survived by his wife.
Sources
"Wreck kills racer from SC," Fayetteville Observer, March 9, 1992
"Motorcycle race victim identified," Fayetteville Observer, March 10, 1992
Social Security Death Index (R. Powers, born August 1, 1961, died Mar. 1992, SS# issued in South Carolina in 1975)
North Carolina Death Collection (Rocky Lee Powers, Sr., married, age 30, born August 1, 1961, in South Carolina, residence is Beaufort County, South Carolina, died March 8, 1992, in Robeson County, North Carolina)
Photos
Find a Grave website
Louie Rapisarda
Born: April 23, 1967
Died: July 22, 1990
Buried:
Age: 23
Full Name: Luige Santo
Rapisarda
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Willowbank Raceway, near Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
Event:
Accident Date: July 22, 1990
Car: T/F dragster
Biographical: He was making a time trial run when the engine of his dragster exploded. When oil from the blown engine got onto his rear wheels, he lost control of the car and smashed into a guard rail. He was taken to Ipswich General Hospital where he succumbed. He was a resident of Hoxton Park, Australia, and had only been in drag racing for two years. He was partners with his father in the race car.
Video:
Sources
"Drag racer dies after explosion," Courier-Mail, July 23, 1990
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3419)
Photos
"Remembering Louie Rapisarda," Drag News Australia, July 22, 2010
Jerry Sides
Born: June 30, 1940
Died: August 8, 1994
Buried:
Age: 54
Full Name: Jerry Don Sides
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Texas Raceway, Kennedale, Texas
Event:
Accident Date: August 6, 1994
Car:
Biographical: After crossing the finish line on the 1/8th-mile track, he crashed through an embankment and his car flew into the trees. He died two days later. A resident of North Richland Hills, Texas, he was the second fatality at this race track in the space of three months.
Sources
"Drag racer dies of injuries from crash," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, August 9, 1994
"Driver dies of injuries suffered in drag-strip crash," Dallas Morning News, August 9, 1994
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=1749)
Photos
James Smith
Born: February 12, 1951
Died: March 28, 1992
Buried:
Age: 41
Full Name: James Buford Smith, Jr.
Nickname: Smitty
Drag Strip: Harrells Dragway, Harrells, North Carolina
Event: Quick Eight Racers Association
Accident Date: March 28, 1992
Car: TM Race Cars Olds Cutlass Pro Mod
Biographical: He was in the left lane making a single run when his car suddenly veered to the right and slammed into a guard rail at the 1/8th mile drag strip. He was from Mount Holly, North Carolina.
Sources
"Drag strip accident kills racer," Fayetteville Observer, March 29, 1992
"Drag racer dies in wreck after qualifying run," Charlotte Observer, March 31,
1992
North Carolina Death Collection (James Buford Smith, Jr., race: black, divorced, age 41, born February 12, 1951, in South Carolina, residence: Gaston County, North Carolina, died in Sampson County, NC, on March 28, 1992)
Social Security Death Index (J. B. Smith, born February 12, 1951, died Mar. 1992, SS# issued in South Carolina in 1965)
William R., e-mail to site administrator, Feb. 12, 2011
Photos
Bill Staley
Born: August 23, 1952
Died: April 25, 1992
Buried: cremated, ashes spread on starting line of Houston Raceway Park
Age: 39
Full Name: William Ernest Staley, Jr.
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas
Event: Sunoco Race Fuels Shootout, Parts Plus Super Chevy Tour
Accident Date: April 25, 1992
Car: Pro Stock Chevrolet Camaro
Biographical: While making a qualifying run, he lost control at a speed of about 200 MPH. He barrel-rolled over the retaining wall and struck the base of a light pole. Unfortunately he had planned on that being his last race with the car. He lived and owned a high performance engine building business in Houston, Texas. He began racing in the 1960s and held national records in both AHRA and NHRA at various times and in various classes. In 1986, his Pontiac Grand Am Pro Stock won the best engineered car award at the U.S. Nationals. He was survived by his parents, brother, sisters, and a son.
Sources
"Death at the track: 1990-1993," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
Motorsport Memorial website
(http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=1582)
Photos
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=1582)
Bill Staley (second from left) at 1986 U.S. Nationals
Pontiac Grand Am Pro Stock at 1986 U.S. Nationals
Terry Stumpf
Born: September 2, 1948
Died: 1990
Buried:
Age:
Full Name: Terry Lee Stumpf
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Cedar Falls Raceway, Iowa
Event:
Accident Date: 1990 (Memorial Day weekend?)
Car: 1968 Factory SS Mustang
Biographical: His car was a factory race car. The 428CJ was replaced with a 460 cubic inch 385 series motor that failed coming to the finish line. Some reportedly said he had a transmission failure. The car struck the opening of the guard rail. Cedar Falls has honored his memory with a memorial 1/8th-mile drag race each October.
Sources
"Race driver from Waverly mourned," The Gazette, October 22, 1996
A reader, e-mail communication with site administrator, April 29, 2010
Rita Wade, e-mail communication to site administrator, June 2, 2010
Photos
John Tartaglia
Born: November 14, 1953
Died: November 1, 1992
Buried:
Age: 38
Full Name: John S. Tartaglia
Nickname:
Drag Strip: New England Dragway, Epping, New Hampshire
Event: Race of Champions
Accident Date: November 1, 1992
Car: dragster
Biographical: A dragster driven by competitor Joyce Fitts went out of control and hit Tartaglia's dragster in the other lane.
The collision sent his race car into the wall. He was transported to Exeter Hospital where he died later that evening. They were traveling at a speed of about 125 MPH at the time of the
collision. He was a veteran of drag racing for twenty years. He lived in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, with his wife, Patricia, and two children. He was an auto mechanic for a car
dealership in Wakefield, Massachusetts. He had been diagnosed ten months before his fatal accident with Hodgkin's Disease, but chemotherapy treatments had put the disease into
remission.
Sources
"Drag racer dead," Globe and Mail, November 3, 1992
"Drag racers killed in crash," Montreal Gazette, November 3, 1992
"Sports digest," San Francisco Chronicle, November 3, 1992
"Dragster killed in crash," North Hills News Record, November 3, 1992
"Death at the track: 1990-1993," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=3355)
U.S. Public Records Index (John S. Tartaglia, born Nov. 1953, phone 663-8988, 10 Patriot Rd., Tyngsboro, Mass.)
Social Security Death Index (J. S. Tartaglia, born Nov. 14, 1953, died Nov. 1992, SS# issued Mass. in 1969-70)
Photos
Doyle Tindall
Born: August 10, 1954
Died: August 15, 1992
Buried: East Lake Cemetery, Kissimmee, Florida
Age: 38
Full Name: Doyle Maynard Tindall
Nickname:
Drag Strip: U.S. 19 Dragway, Albany, Georgia
Event:
Accident Date: August 15, 1992
Car: 1991 Chevrolet
Biographical: During the second round of qualifying in the Super Quick category, he was traveling at more than 100 MPH when his car veered into a guard rail halfway down the race track. He lived in St. Cloud, Florida, and died of massive injuries sustained in the accident.
Sources
"Tindall of St. Cloud is killed in Georgia drag-race accident," Orlando Sentinel, August 17, 1992
"Death at the track: 1990-1993," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
"Tindall dies after hitting guardrail," Ocala Star-Banner, August 18, 1992
"Friends, family mourn race-car driver," Orlando Sentinel, August 18, 1992
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=5187)
Photos
Find a Grave website
Phil Unruh
Born: January 18, 1956
Died: July 16, 1994
Buried:
Age: 38
Full Name: Philip A. Unruh
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Muncie Dragway, Indiana
Event:
Accident Date: July 16, 1994
Car: motorcycle
Biographical: After crossing the finish line at a speed of 115 MPH, his bike slid and flipped, resulting in his death.
Sources
"Judge's ruling opens door for NBA signings," USA Today, July 19, 1994
Social Security Death Index (Phillip A. Unruh, died July 16, 1994, born January 18, 1956, SS# issued in Indiana in 1971)
Photos
Gene "Gino" Vecchio
Born: June 26, 1950
Died: July 3, 1994
Buried: Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church Cemetery, Bolinas, California
Age: 44
Full Name: Eugene Joseph Vecchio
Nickname:
Drag Strip: Southern Oregon Dragway, near White Clay, Oregon
Event:
Accident Date: July 3, 1994
Car: "Blue Streak" jet dragster
Biographical: He died upon impact when his car flew off the end of the race track at more than 200 MPH and collided with a tree. His parachute was not deployed and his brakes were not applied. Medical personnel speculated that he blacked out. Investigators determined that all safety equipment on the car was functioning properly. His career best time was 5.735 and 254.23 MPH on his J-34 Westinghouse-powered vehicle. He was from Novato, California, and was survived by his wife and two sons.
Sources
"Death at the track: 1993-1997," Charlotte Observer, November 11, 2001
Motorsport Memorial website (http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=1636)
Photos
Find a Grave website