Thirty-one years ago
 

It hardly seems possible that it has been thirty-one years today that I sat in the grandstand at Salem and witnessed one of the greatest drivers of all time perish in an accident as the he received the white flag.

RIP, Rich Vogler

Was he driving for Watson that day?

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

He was in the Hoffman car I believe.

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

Rich was great. Truly one of my heroes. RIP

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

Watched that race and accident live on ESPN. Was devastated. Saw Rich run many times. Stood on the loud pedal, and ranks up there with Foyt, Stewart, and Hewitt as one of the best short track open wheel racers of all time. Could drive anything, and was as good on pavement as he was on dirt. Didn't matter, midget, sprint, silver crown, Indy car.

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

I watched it on TV also, I was crushed.. The night I lost my hero.
RIP mad dog.

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

I was at the Kings Royal and no sooner than we pulled out on to 118 leaving did it come over the radio that Rich had passed.

Hoffman

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

l also watched it live on ESPN that night. I was still drinking back then and after witnessing what happened, I got hammered and missed work the next day. Even though I've lived in MA my whole life (so far), I've always been drawn to open-wheel racing. Maybe it was watching all of the tape-delayed races shown on the Wild World of Sports back in the day, back when AJ, Mario, the Unsers, and all the others still ran on dirt. I appreciated what Rich Vogler accomplished. It was so cool that he had his pilot's license and would fly himself to races. He was a racers racer and was definitely one of the best to strap in and mash the pedal.

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

He was scheduled to run his first NASCAR race that weekend at Pocono.

RIP Rich Vogler.

Great reflections by all of you. Rich was truly one of the greatest USAC racers of all time in my book. I am amazed that when racing enthusiasts talk about greats, his name is not always brought up. I was fortunate enough to see his evolution from a midget racer to contending for wins and winning a lot in every USAC discipline. Myself and my friends were unloading race cars at our shop from the nights events at the local racetrack when someone came in and broke the news. Devastating! RIP

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

I was at the Kings Royal and over heard a TV crew talking about the crash. I

We were there watching Rich put on another great performance. There are so many images that are forever locked into my mind of the crash and what followed. A great racer gone too soon.

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

Sad to say he wasn't my favorite but I didn't know him. You could say he was always one of the favorites to win anywhere he showed up and yes, he qualified for Pocono and would have been his first Cup Race. Also was credited for the Win at Salem that nigh as he had a huge lead with one lap to go.

Very sad, I've not been in many pit areas lately but used to pit for some teams including sprints. Certain drivers on race night had a look and still do I suppose. THE LOOK OF TOTAL FOCUS ON WINNING. It's a look of, *This is not a good time to approach them and talk* No matter what they're like off the track. That Focus look is common among champions. Rich was one of them.

From the sadness of his loss has come a lot of good. I have to believe many lives have been saved from what was learned. Window nets (Cage nets and later full containment seats. I still see some use both) and the Elinor Vogler Scholarship fund which I urge everyone and every club to help.

Re: Thirty-one years ago
 

One thing that has always stood out to me about that night says a lot about Rich and his family. It was the lead story on the then 11 o'clock news. Rich hadn't been gone an hour, and the family asked for donations to be made in his memory to the Brad Doty recovery fund.