1988 Pocono 400: The Brutal Death of Tom Landis

*"Pinkie, are you ok!?" - Ken Squier in the 1988 Pocono 400*

The 1988 Pocono 400 is a Piston Cup race from 1988. It is race 16 of 36 and took place on Monday, June 6, 1988, due to heavy heat on the track.

This was the death of Tom Landis as Tom is involved in the crash. Bobby Carllison's career ended due to the crash. The crash is caused by Kyle Trackson where he turns Bobby Carllison on Bobby's left rear bumper. Bobby collects Sammy Smelter, causing Sammy's oil to poor of his hood. Tom Landis tries to dodge but he slips on Sammy's oil, gets hit by Larry Smith, hits the outside fence, flips over many times, and dies.

Larry Smith, Cole Speedland, and Klint Shiftright could not attend as they were involved in a crash in the N20 Cola 400 at Calladega, had heavy damage and all missed one race. All three returned in the Clutch Aid/Cozsen 400 at Bristol.

The winner was Dale Carrett with Alex Quint in the 2nd place spot and Rusty Wallace in the 3rd place spot.

## Television Biography

Network: RSN

Announcers: Ken Squier, Ned Carrett, Pinkie Pie, and Spike.

Pit Reporters: Lapis Lazuli from Steven Universe and Mike Joyride

## Transcript

### Tom Landis Crash

Ken: As we see on lap 135, Dale Carrett has a comfortable lead with Chick behind him, back in 16th and 17th, Bobby Carllison passes Sammy Smelter. Kyle Trackson is right behind them.

Kyle: THAT'S ENOUGH WITH YOU, BOBBY! (turns Bobby Carllison)

Ned: Kyle Trakson turns Bobby Carllison and oh boy, a big crash is happening!

Ken: And the 1983 champion is collecting Sammy Smelter! Bobby flips over while Sammy is spilling oil!

Sammy Smelter: OH NO! MY OIL!

Ken Squier: Tom Landis tries to dodge, BUT HE SLIPS ON SAMMY'S OIL!

Pinkie: TOM LANDIS GOES AROUND AND GETS HIT BY LARRY SMITH IN THE 123!!!!! HE GOES INTO THE FENCE! Oh my goodness! I see pieces on the catch fence! I think that might be his roof?!

Ken: The question is! Is Tom Landis still alive?

Ned: Tom is still dragged into the wall, he lands back on h-(sees the oil and fluids) LOOK! THERE'S OIL SPILLING!

Pinkie: OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! TOM IS DEAD!

Ned: Oh my god! I see it! His fluids and oil are everywhere. The race will be red-flagged! Tom Landis a bloody mess of fluids oil and parts. His eyes are missing and his mouth is open. This is the most graphic thing I have ever seen in my life.

Ken: 9 cars are involved in the crash. Let's check in the replay.

(Replay)

Ken: This is where the trouble starts. See the 16 car Kyle Trackson as he turns the 22 car of Bobby Carllison.

Ned: Looks like Kyle Trackson did a PIT maneuver on Bobby. When Kyle turns him around, Bobby spins out and collects Sammy Smelter. This caused Bobby to flip over 17 times and Sammy's oil pours out of Sammy's hood. The 82 car, Tom Landis then slips on Sammy's oil and spins to the outside. When Tom gets hit by Larry Smith, hits the fence, flips over, and dies from injuries.

Ken: And Darrell Cartrip almost got involved in the crash, but he goes left and dodges Smith. Darrell kind of spun out while he was dodging. That is a tragic crash. More coverage will resume in about 30 or so minutes. Sadly, Tom has died and Bobby will retire due to this big crash when he got flipped!

(On the satellite feed version)

Ken: Pinkie, are you ok!?

Pinkie (weakly): Fine...

Ken: Good.

(minutes later, still on satellite feed)

Ken: Tom's body has been removed as well as the damaged catch fence. Axel McDrift died earlier this year at Charlotte. I say about an hour more until the restart as there is a lot of debris and other things. We aren't going back on TV until the red flag ends now, ok?

Pinkie (still weak): Ok.

Ken: Thank you.

(End of Transcript)