Rogers was storied pioneer for local auto racing
It is with a heavy broken heart, that I write this column. My very close friend Bruce Rogers passed away last Wednesday.
He had put up quite a battle, after recovering from injuries that were a result of a Daytona Beach auto accident more than one year ago, he worked toward recovering from a variety of health issues.
Before we made the trip to Ormond Beach, Fla., back on Christmas Day, Marilyn and I had the opportunity to spend a day with Bruce and other family members along with Joanne Roehrig and Wilmer Weiss. It was a wonderful gathering. Bruce was up and around, eating well and getting to the point of enjoying life again.
He had gotten out to his Grandview Speedway for some late season events and had worked with son, Kenny, and grandson Brad Missimer with some track maintenance.
During that afternoon Bruce and I had quite a conversation and his memory of past events was often better than mine. It was a wonderful day.
It was a shock to hear, a few weeks after we got to Florida, that Bruce was again having health issues. He put up quite a battle but in the end it all proved to be too much for him.
No one will miss him more than my wife and I.
It seems as if it was just a short time ago that Bruce and I stood at the bar during a United Racing Club banquet and talked about me handling PR work for the track. Hard to believe that was 51 years ago.
Bruce and his dad, Forrest, had managed to create quite a racing facility on top of the hill overlooking Bechtelsville, PA.
After his dad passed away Bruce and Theresa along with his mother pretty much kept things going. His mom would sell tickets off a small table at the gate. I think they were $2 back then.
Over the years Bruce was able to make many improvements to the facility. He was dedicated to the track and it has become one of the most successful NASCAR weekly short tracks in the nation.
Some of the biggest names in the sport have been part of happenings at Grandview Speedway including Richard Petty and A.J. Foyt.
I remember planning a trip to Hawaii with Bruce and Theresa. However Bruce was not big on flying. He suggested that we share the driving to California and then fly to Hawaii from Los Angeles. His idea of sharing was somewhat different than mine. I think it worked out that he drove to Harrisburg and I drove the rest of the way. He even got us to stop at Billy the Kid’s hideout somewhere along the way. When we arrived back in Los Angeles Marilyn and I flew home.
And not too long ago, to give you an idea of Bruce’s soft heart, there was an old vehicle being removed from the speedway grounds when it was found that a family of mice were living it. There were some suggestions of what to do with them but Bruce decided that the mice should be relocated and suffer no harm.
Many long-time fans remember the night that Bruce rolled over one of his water trucks as he rounded a turn. He got knocked around a bit but no serious injuries. A lot of the debris in the truck bounced off him as the truck rolled over. I don’t think he ever got over that one.
And for me I could not prove this to be true but I am pretty sure that Bruce was the one that made sure the car that I drove in a demo derby had unique markings on it so others would know I was in it and was used for target practice. I took quite a beating. My head rattled for a few days. It was all in fun.
In recent years Bruce has become quite a respected promoter. He along with Theresa have received numerous awards and there are four Promoter of the Year awards housed at the Rogers home and in the track office.
Since the accident put him on the sidelines his daughter Tina has been a driving force for the business along with son Kenny making sure the track was well prepared. Grandson Brad Missimer has been a huge help in the track maintenance department. It has been a family effort as it was for all of the 55 years that track has operated.
Bruce was a very proud grandfather with granddaughters Kasey, Taylor and Brittany along grandsons Brad and Justin. Unfortunately Bruce only got to see his great grandson Hunter a short time back. He had been born just recently to Brad and Amy Missimer.
There are so many great memories of our travels to wonderful places in this country and out of the country (quite a few cruises). There is not enough space to mention them all. And the times we spent together here in the Daytona Beach, Florida area will never be forgotten.
Thank you Bruce for letting me play a small part in your success. It goes without saying that you will be missed but never forgotten. I’m sure there will be times I say to myself, WWBD (What would Bruce do?).
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 6 to 9 p.m. at Catagnus Funeral Home, Gilbertsville, PA. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to 87 Wilt Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505.
Donations in memory of Bruce Rogers can be made to the Checkered Flag Fan Club 742 Lonely Cottage Road in Upper Black Eddy, 18972.
The NASCAR Whelen Series of stock car racing gets the green at Grandview Speedway on Saturday, April 8 with the running of a tripleheader show of T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman stock cars. At least 12 events of racing will be featured. Admission to the 7 p.m. show will be $15 for adults and free to youngsters 11 and under. Kicking off their chase for the lucrative modified stock car titles will be defending champion Craig VonDohren along with past champions Jeff Strunk, Duane Howard and Ray Swinehart. For current info check in at www. grandviewspeedway.com or 610.754.7688.