1976 - Kirkpatrick in fatal accident at West Memphis

Larry Kirkpatrick at Tampa, Fla., in 1975

 

 

Memphis, Tenn. (July 8, 1976) - Larry Kirkpatrick, formerly of Wood River, Ill., died Thursday afternoon after suffering critical injuries incurred from an auto racing accident.

Kirkpatrick, a sprint car driver, suffered extensive head injuries Sunday after his car collided with several other sprint cars in a feature race in West Memphis, Arkansas.

“He was lapping some other slower cars, they slid in front of him and Larry flipped,” explained Ned Kirkpatrick, father of the deceased. Kirkpatrick, 28, had been driving sprint cars for about four years and was successful on the regional circuit.

Following his crash and injury Sunday, Kirkpatrick was rushed to Memphis Baptist Hospital, where he remained until yesterday.

Kirkpatrick had finished second in the point standings in the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) in 1974 and because of increasing success joined the United States Auto Club (USAC) this year.

“He had aspirations of racing at Indianapolis in the 500 someday,” said his wife, Brenda.

Kirkpatrick had earned the right to drive in dirt championship races in the Midwest and would have begun competition next month.

Kirkpatrick had raced on tracks from California to Florida in his quest to become one of the nation's top drivers.

“He died doing what he wanted to do,” said his wife.