Post by dalejrfan on Jun 24, 2005 1:33:50 GMT -5
Slocum dies from track injuriesBy JOHN BOHNENKAMP
The Burlington Hawk EyeBurlington, IA - Accident in pit area takes life of race car driver Brenton Slocum, 28; Michael Mott remains hospitalized. jbohnenkamp@thehawkeye.com
MIDDLETOWN - Brenton Slocum, the defending late model track champion at 34 Raceway and one of the top drivers in Iowa, died late Saturday from injuries suffered in an accident in the pit area at the 3/8-mile dirt oval during a practice session in preparation for the night's races.
Slocum, 28, of Burlington, was killed when the car he was working on in the pit area was struck by a vintage sprint car coming into the pit area after hot laps.
A second person, Michael Mott, 16, of Wapello, was seriously injured. He was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A hospital spokeswoman said Sunday she could not release information on Mott's condition.
The Iowa State Patrol, conducting the crash investigation, said the vintage sprint car driven by John F. Batchelor, 61, of Rockford, Ill., was coming off the race track and into the south part of the pit area when it struck the parked late model of Tom Darbyshire. Batchelor's car then struck Slocum's car, which was being worked on by several individuals.
Slocum was pinned underneath his car.
Mott was airlifted to Iowa City from the track.
"This was unique in that it was in a racetrack and it's not the kind of cars I'm used to dealing with," said State Trooper Jeremy Andreasen, who is heading the investigation. "It could take several weeks, maybe longer, because we want to do a thorough and accurate investigation."
Andreasen said he and at least two other troopers will be talking with witnesses, looking at the vehicles and collecting roadway evidence to come to conclusions about the cause of the accident.
"In this case, a lot will rely on witness statements," he said.
It is the first racing-related death at 34 Raceway in the 39 years the track has been open.
'Like a family'
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone involved in this," 34 Raceway promoter Terry Hoenig said Sunday morning. "This was just something you're never prepared to deal with. Everyone knew Brent. Down in the pits, it's like a family down there. Everyone knows everyone.
"It's really hard for me personally to describe how I feel. I've known Brent for a long time."
The accident occurred at 7:02 p.m. Slocum was taken to Great River Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Racing for the night was canceled at approximately 8:20 p.m., but several drivers exited the pit area before the announcement was made.
Slocum was second in the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series standings this season. He won back-to-back features on April 30 and May 7 at 34 Raceway.
"He was just a wonderful person," said veteran late model driver Boone McLaughlin. "Great racer, great competitor on the track, great person off the track."
McLaughlin usually pits next to Slocum's team, but was in a different spot for Saturday's races.
"Everything was full around where Brent was, so we were a few spots up," McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin was in his trailer when the accident occurred.
"I heard the hit," he said. "I ran out, saw what happened, and ran down to where Brent was."
McLaughlin stayed with Slocum's family until Slocum was taken from the track by ambulance. When he returned to his pit, he told his crew to pack up for the night.
"There was no way we were going to race, out of respect for Brent," he said. "I just didn't feel like racing."
McLaughlin was seriously injured in a racing accident at 34 Raceway early last season, but came back and finished the season.
"I've talked about it with my wife, wondering if I still should do this, that sort of thing," McLaughlin said. "But you can't think about it when you race. It was a freak accident. I've walked through the pits a lot of times, and I've come close to getting hit a couple of times. It's a freak accident that you just can't avoid."
The only other pit accident at the track in recent seasons was in 2000, when a driver and a pit crew member were struck by a wheel that had come off a car on the track and was hit by another car, sending it flying into the pit area. Both men were released from the hospital the following day.
Warning signs are posted at the pit entrance about the dangers of being in the pit area, a standard practice at most tracks. Anyone entering the pits must sign a release form before entering the pits, and have to wear an armband at all times.
"It was just a freak accident," Hoenig said.
McLaughlin said it will be hard returning to the track for next week's races.
"Next week's Father's Day," he said. "Brent and his wife just had a little girl. I watched Brent grow up over the years racing out there. It definitely will be bittersweet."
Hawk Eye reporter Shawna Richter contributed to this article
msnbc.msn.com/id/8205420
The Burlington Hawk EyeBurlington, IA - Accident in pit area takes life of race car driver Brenton Slocum, 28; Michael Mott remains hospitalized. jbohnenkamp@thehawkeye.com
MIDDLETOWN - Brenton Slocum, the defending late model track champion at 34 Raceway and one of the top drivers in Iowa, died late Saturday from injuries suffered in an accident in the pit area at the 3/8-mile dirt oval during a practice session in preparation for the night's races.
Slocum, 28, of Burlington, was killed when the car he was working on in the pit area was struck by a vintage sprint car coming into the pit area after hot laps.
A second person, Michael Mott, 16, of Wapello, was seriously injured. He was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A hospital spokeswoman said Sunday she could not release information on Mott's condition.
The Iowa State Patrol, conducting the crash investigation, said the vintage sprint car driven by John F. Batchelor, 61, of Rockford, Ill., was coming off the race track and into the south part of the pit area when it struck the parked late model of Tom Darbyshire. Batchelor's car then struck Slocum's car, which was being worked on by several individuals.
Slocum was pinned underneath his car.
Mott was airlifted to Iowa City from the track.
"This was unique in that it was in a racetrack and it's not the kind of cars I'm used to dealing with," said State Trooper Jeremy Andreasen, who is heading the investigation. "It could take several weeks, maybe longer, because we want to do a thorough and accurate investigation."
Andreasen said he and at least two other troopers will be talking with witnesses, looking at the vehicles and collecting roadway evidence to come to conclusions about the cause of the accident.
"In this case, a lot will rely on witness statements," he said.
It is the first racing-related death at 34 Raceway in the 39 years the track has been open.
'Like a family'
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone involved in this," 34 Raceway promoter Terry Hoenig said Sunday morning. "This was just something you're never prepared to deal with. Everyone knew Brent. Down in the pits, it's like a family down there. Everyone knows everyone.
"It's really hard for me personally to describe how I feel. I've known Brent for a long time."
The accident occurred at 7:02 p.m. Slocum was taken to Great River Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Racing for the night was canceled at approximately 8:20 p.m., but several drivers exited the pit area before the announcement was made.
Slocum was second in the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series standings this season. He won back-to-back features on April 30 and May 7 at 34 Raceway.
"He was just a wonderful person," said veteran late model driver Boone McLaughlin. "Great racer, great competitor on the track, great person off the track."
McLaughlin usually pits next to Slocum's team, but was in a different spot for Saturday's races.
"Everything was full around where Brent was, so we were a few spots up," McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin was in his trailer when the accident occurred.
"I heard the hit," he said. "I ran out, saw what happened, and ran down to where Brent was."
McLaughlin stayed with Slocum's family until Slocum was taken from the track by ambulance. When he returned to his pit, he told his crew to pack up for the night.
"There was no way we were going to race, out of respect for Brent," he said. "I just didn't feel like racing."
McLaughlin was seriously injured in a racing accident at 34 Raceway early last season, but came back and finished the season.
"I've talked about it with my wife, wondering if I still should do this, that sort of thing," McLaughlin said. "But you can't think about it when you race. It was a freak accident. I've walked through the pits a lot of times, and I've come close to getting hit a couple of times. It's a freak accident that you just can't avoid."
The only other pit accident at the track in recent seasons was in 2000, when a driver and a pit crew member were struck by a wheel that had come off a car on the track and was hit by another car, sending it flying into the pit area. Both men were released from the hospital the following day.
Warning signs are posted at the pit entrance about the dangers of being in the pit area, a standard practice at most tracks. Anyone entering the pits must sign a release form before entering the pits, and have to wear an armband at all times.
"It was just a freak accident," Hoenig said.
McLaughlin said it will be hard returning to the track for next week's races.
"Next week's Father's Day," he said. "Brent and his wife just had a little girl. I watched Brent grow up over the years racing out there. It definitely will be bittersweet."
Hawk Eye reporter Shawna Richter contributed to this article
msnbc.msn.com/id/8205420