I've looked everywhere with no luck. Does anyone remember (or can find it on the web) where the flagman for the race at ODS died MANY years ago from a freak accident? I believe something flew off the car and decapitated him.

This had to be 25+ years ago. I'm interested to figure out who that was or find an article that talks about the event and says what exactly happened or what came off the car.

This is all I could find...is this him?

PATRICK MCINTYRE, 28, track staff

Sept. 27, 1992

McIntyre was working as a flagman at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va., when a car crashed and struck the flagstand as its driver battled for position on the last lap. The Dale City, Va., resident was known for leaning over the rail to touch winning cars with the checkered flag, said Tom Priddy, who was assisting McIntyre on the stand that night.

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-79924679/profiles-260-racing-death.html

I'm Patrick's Sister, Debbie.

I have to strongly correct HIJACKER! I don't know where you got the information that he was decapitated. Quite to the contrary.

It wasn't the car accident that killed him but the doctors over at Manassas Hospital. If he had been flown directly to Fairfax Hospital instead of going to Manasas - my family and I believe, as do a number of the first responders - Patrick would be alive today.

If you'd like to talk further - please feel free to e-mail me at dmckay123@aol.com.

Debbie, I am very sorry for your loss. I think that these are two different situations though. I vaguely remember that someone did die at the speedway. It was quite some time ago and not related to the death of your brother at all.

I was there that night and remember it a little different,
A car struck the poles supporting the flagstand, it wasn't on the last lap as the race was stopped, the flagger refused treatment or transport to the hospital and it was later reported he ignored the symptoms of internal injuries and he stayed in the flagstand until the race was over.

Wow, I completed forgot about this thread...

The incident in 1992 is not what I'm referring to, it's an event I believe that happened prior to 1980. So Debbie, no need to "correct" me, you're referring to a different even than I am, hence I why I said 25+ years ago.

Sounds like he was "ahead" of his time.

I think you might be looking for an incident that happened in about 1968. James Elmore the long time Flagman and resident of Falls Church Va. was struck by a piece of a clutch from a car driven by Carlton Coleman. The clutch blew up and a piece hit him in the throat. It was not a fatal accident however he was disabled after the accident. His son, James Elmore Jr. took over for him and died in a accident at Lake Anna several years later.

I remember a lady dying at old dominion speedway.She ran across the oval track. It might of been false.But Im not sure.I heard this when i was about 3 or 4.

I recall hearing years ago about a driver named Clifford Ewell that died as a result of a crash at Old Dominion.

i was about 10 yeras old,there that night,just bought ticket,went toward entrance gate,heard something sailing over head ,it hit lght wires ,lights went out,then heard what had just happened on track,flag stand was level with top of guard rail then

I was there the night the incendent happened it was hobbystock race last lap last two cars fighting for position one car got into wall rode wall until it flipped almost end over end and hit top of flagstand as flagman was lesning over giving checker flag I was in infeild at finish line and remember it clearly the car and number but dont remember name of driver I was on crew of team that did a memorial for him the next week after accident as I remember he loved what he did as an ods offical

This is in response to the thread about Patrick's death at ODS (may he rest in peace and my heart goes out to his sister) and Tony's post...

I was also there that night, working the pits directly across from the flagstand. It was one of the Dillon cars that climbed up the flagstand. I can still see Patrick's hands going up to shield his face as the car approached him. It was horrific.

I also attended the funeral - what team were you working for? The memorial was beautiful, and the crowd was enormous! He was very well loved by everyone at ODS.

Does anyone remember a man who was in the marines at the time, name Robert A. Hartley, was killed at the track this had to be back in the 50"s - I believe a motorcycle left the track and hit him?

You are exactly right, Jim was a good friend of our's and yes his son did take over for him but was later killed in a incident from jumping into a swimming hole to retrieve a ball for some kids in Louisa, Va. Both men were real fans of racing and enjoyed it every weekend.

I worked at the City of Falls Church with Jim Elmore. It was a devastating accident at the speedway that left him severely disabled but he lived for several more years after thst.

I was there the night of the incident racing myself in the Grand Stock class. It was the last race of the night on THE LAST LAP and I believe it was the 5&6 place cars tangled out of turn four,1 car got up on its rear bumper and literally twisted it’s way down the catch fence and hit the flagman stand killing McIntyre and injuring 1 other person in the flag stand. I watched the car (like it was in slow motion) twisting its way down the front stretch on its rear bumper twisting until it hit the flag stand. It took rescue workers a VERY long time to get the injured flagmen out of the stand and into the ambulances. Very tragic, bizarre accident.