In the high-octane world of NASCAR, not every incident, spectacular crash, or pivotal moment is captured for posterity. Especially in earlier decades, many crucial events unfolded away from the lens of cameras, with only trackside witnesses or scarce photographs to tell the tale. Nowadays, with coverage saturating each race weekend—from practice sessions to qualifying and race day—the likelihood of missing a dramatic moment has greatly diminished. However, as we delve into the deeper archives of NASCAR history, some harrowing stories have been all but forgotten, lost in time. Part 4 of our series shines a light on some of these lesser-known yet significant events, many of which unfolded away from the public eye.

Watkins Glen: The Road Course with Dark Secrets

Watkins Glen International has long been revered as one of the premier road courses in NASCAR, offering fans thrilling racing thanks to its unique layout and historic finishes. However, beneath the glamour lies a history marked by tragedy and frightening crashes that sometimes evade widespread recollection.

The Inner Loop Addition and Greg Sacks’ Terrifying Roll

In 1992, following the tragic death of driver J.D. McDuffie, Watkins Glen introduced the “inner loop” chicane between turns 4 and 5 to reduce the excessive speeds drivers achieved on the back straightaway. Most attention that weekend zeroed in on this new track feature. Unexpectedly, the area that proved most perilous was the twisting esses at turns 2 and 3. During practice, driver Greg Sacks experienced a severe accident at turn 2. His vehicle slammed heavily into the wall, launching into the air and barrel-rolling off the circuit. Limited to only a few still photographs capturing the crash, fans were left with scant visual record. Miraculously, Sacks emerged uninjured and competed in the race the following day. His crash is notable for physically ejecting the car off the race surface, an incident nearly lost to history due to minimal coverage.

Ron Hornaday’s Near-Fatal Truck Series Crash

Fast forward five years to 1997, the track witnessed another dramatic incident, this time during a Truck Series practice session featuring Ron Hornaday, who would later earn Hall of Fame honors. Approaching turn 10 at high velocity, Hornaday’s truck suffered brake failure—a terrifying prospect given the speed of this section.

Hornaday’s truck barreled through a styrofoam barrier with little resistance, then plunged into a sand trap that exacerbated the crash, causing multiple rollovers before coming to rest. The truck was effectively destroyed except for its roll cage, which remained intact and protected Hornaday. Despite bruising previously injured ribs, Hornaday’s resilience shone through as he raced later that weekend and finished an impressive fifth. Incidents like these underscore both the dangers inherent in road course racing and the resilience of NASCAR’s drivers.

Bruce Jacobi: The Journeyman’s Haunting Legacy

Journeymen drivers often slip into obscurity after their careers, but Bruce Jacobi stands out due to two particularly brutal crashes that were poorly documented, reflecting the media limitations of his era.

The 1977 Charlotte Crash

Attempting to qualify for the 1977 World 600 at Charlotte, Jacobi was involved in a devastating practice accident triggered when Rick Newsom lost control entering turn 4 and collided with Jacobi. Jacobi’s car flipped multiple times along the front stretch, eventually coming to rest on its side and igniting into flames. Although no video footage exists—common for practice crashes in the 1970s—photographs reveal the crash’s severity. Both drivers survived with minor injuries, but the accident forced Jacobi to withdraw, delaying his racing career progression.

The Fatal 1983 Daytona 500 Crash

Jacobi’s final NASCAR attempt came in the prestigious Daytona 500 in 1983 when he was 48 years old. Driving the No. 05 Pontiac, his hopes were dashed within five laps by a violent crash partially captured on camera. While the initial cause remains unknown, images of Jacobi’s flipped car near the dirt embankment tell a grim story.

Jacobi was critically injured, suffering a bruised brain stem and severe eye damage. He remained comatose for four years before passing away at age 51, without regaining consciousness. This tragic end is a poignant reminder of the risks drivers took during an era when safety standards were still evolving.

The IPOWER Dash Series Tragedy: A Fatal Incident That Shook NASCAR

The Goody’s Dash Series served as a proving ground for aspiring racers in the 1980s and 1990s, offering a cost-effective platform where drivers piloted former Grand National cars. Unfortunately, safety in the series was often subpar, leading to several troubling incidents.

In 2004, NASCAR sold the series’ sanctioning rights to IPOWER (International Participants of Winning Edge Racing), sparking hopes of revitalization. The first IPOWER Dash race at Daytona in February that year featured a mix of veterans, debutants, second-generation racers, and even Ray Paprota, a paraplegic driver who modified his car to be controlled entirely from his steering wheel—a testament to determination and innovation.

After struggling with battery issues at the start, Paprota rejoined the race multiple laps down. On lap 9, a distressing event unfolded: while Paprota was speeding through turn 2, safety worker Roy H. Weaver III stepped onto the track to clear debris without race control being notified, leaving drivers unaware of his presence.

Despite seeing Weaver at the last moment, Paprota’s modified vehicle could not avoid him, colliding with Weaver at high speed. The impact was instantly fatal for Weaver. For those at the track and watching on broadcast, the tragic red flag, emergency response, and somber atmosphere conveyed the gravity of the moment.

No video footage of the moment of impact exists, a fortunate circumstance given its horrific nature. A brief clip of the aftermath shows safety crews spraying the track, a stark reminder of the dangers safety personnel face. This event deeply affected the series, which ceased operations in 2011, a conclusion many attribute at least partly to the tragedy.

Reflecting on NASCAR’s Forgotten Moments

The stories uncovered in this chapter of NASCAR Chronicles highlight the perilous nature of the sport, especially in eras before comprehensive coverage and advanced safety protocols. From the tight esses of Watkins Glen to the fast ovals of Charlotte and Daytona, drivers and crew have faced unimaginable hazards.

Many crashes, some fatal and others miraculous in survivors, slipped through the cracks of media attention, preserved only by eyewitness accounts and isolated images. Remembering these lost moments honors those who risked everything for the thrill of racing and reminds us how far NASCAR has come in embracing safety and technology to safeguard its participants.

As NASCAR continues evolving, it is vital not to forget these chapters—both the triumphs of survival and the tragedies that prompted change—etched quietly in the annals of racing history, lost no more.