Driving a race car is an incredible hobby and, for a lucky few, a terrific career. Yet every once in a while racers and fans both get a reality check. This is a hobby / profession that has a risk of serious injury.
That reality check came pretty close to home this past weekend at Milwaukee Mile Speedway. Kamiah Idaho native, Jeff Krogh was involved in two separate crashes. The first, in qualifying, forced him to take a provisional for the starting grid in what was to be his 57th NASCAR Busch series race. The second, which occurred during happy hour practice, landed him in the hospital in a life threatening coma.
Local Tri-City Raceway fans should recognize the Krogh name as both Jeff and his brother Mark were frequent competitors at Tri-City Raceway in the NASCAR Raybestos Northwest Tour Series. They both moved up to the Winston West series where Jeff finished second in the series to 1996 champion Lance Hooper. Mark finished fourth that season before they moved on to competing in the Busch ranks.
Jeff's injury is listed as a "closed cranial trauma". Doctors at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital reported he had no visible signs of trauma or fractures besides the head injury. As of late Thursday afternoon, Froedtert Memorial Luthern Hospital media spokesman, Mark McGloughlin said, "Jeff's condition currently is critical, stable, and comatose. He is holding his own and is being assisted with a ventilator. That is not to be confused with a respirator. Jeff is breathing on his own with stable vital signs.”
The family has requested that no flowers be sent but cards and get well messages may be forwarded to Froedtert Memorial Luthern Hospital, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226.
On a more positive note, Kennewick's Damon Lusk, who is a regular in the regional NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour in his America Online Chevrolet, will make his debut in the national NASCAR Busch series on July 24th as he will attempt to qualify his America Online Chevrolet for the Napa Autocare 250 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. It will be the first of two attempts to compete in a the Busch Grand National series for Lusk in 1999. He will also enter the Outback Steakhouse 200 on November 6th at Phoenix International Raceway. Lusk has previous experience at Phoenix as he had a successful run in the Copper World Classic with the Southwest Tour in March of this year. To prepare for the Pikes Peak event he is attending the Richard Petty Driving School this weekend at the “D” shaped one mile facility located 15 miles south of Colorado Springs.
Another former Tri-City Raceway regular, Greg Biffle, is following up his 1998 Rookie of the year honors for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series with a run at the title. He has posted three wins in his sophomore season driving the Grainger truck for Jack Rousch Racing. Biffle currently is second in the points standings with 1923 points to leader Jack Spragues 2025. Biffle has recorded 9 top tens in 13 events and won $241,135.00. Look for Biffle to also make the move full time to the Busch series ranks in 2000.
On the local level, where weekend warriors become tomorrow’s heroes, drivers try to follow the Kroghs, Lusk and Biffle’s paths to the next level. Pepsi / KORD Challenge Series late model driver Richard Worley, Benton City, has a pretty good start. He is leading both the Rookie of the Year challenge and the Tri-City Raceway track champion points race. He is currently 7th in the Great West division for the Winston Racing Series, a national competition for local late model divisions.
Worley and the other local late model competitors have the weekend off as Tri-City Raceway presents the Canadian Old Timers. These are pre-1940 vintage race cars that maintain the original bodies and frames and are powered by modern V-8 motors. In last seasons appearance at Tri-City Raceway six inches separated Dan Morneau and Duane Zeinstra, both Canadians, at the checkered flag. Those two are at the front again this season and fans can expect the same battle. Eighteen to 22 competitors are expected to attend. It is a great nostalgic trip for race fans of any age.
The local NASCAR Mini-Stock and Pure Stock divisions are also slated to compete as time trials begin at 6:00 pm. Trophy dashes, heat races, and main events for each division will follow.
With modern safety technology injuries have become less common and hopefully there will be no ‘reality checks’ this weekend on any level of racing, be it national, regional, or local.
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Local and regional racing can be followed on the Internet at Northwest Racing.
